§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of improvements in service at Musgrove Park hospital, Taunton since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [73270]
§ Ms BlearsSince 1997, Government initiatives to improve the performance of the National Health Service have resulted in significant developments in the quality of services provided to local people by Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust, which has responsibility for Taunton & Somerset Hospital, Musgrove Park. In 1997, 88 per cent. of inpatients were seen within 10 months, that has since increased to 92 per cent., in 1997–98 the number of patients seen and treated was 63,000 and in 2001–02 that increased to 73,000. There are now no outpatients waiting longer than 26 weeks for a first appointment. We have also recently announced an allocation of £2.3 million to further reduce waiting times. By March 2003 there will be no patients waiting in excess of nine months for inpatient treatment and 13 weeks for an outpatient appointment.
In addition since 1997 new services have been introduced bringing considerable benefits for patients. These include a breast care unit, an admissions unit, a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Capital investment schemes in 2001–02 include a new cardiac catherisation laboratory, a third ophthalmic theatre, and an orthopaedic theatre and ward.