§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reason Wynthenshawe Hospital failed to828W reschedule heart surgery on Mr. Stanley Ford of Warrington within 28 days of the first cancellation of his operation; [71381]
(2) for what reason Wythenshawe Hospital cancelled heart surgery on Mr. Stanley Ford of Warrington six times; and, in each case, what the reasons were for the cancellations; [71379]
(3) what the average time taken in 2001 by the Chief Executive of Wythenshawe Hospital was to reply to letters from hon. Members outside Manchester. [71377]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 19 July 2002]The reasons for the six cancellations were as follows: on 22 March, there was unforeseen sickness amongst theatre staff and priority was given to an emergency admission; on 13 May, non-availability of a clinician who was needed to perform a specialist procedure; on 29 May, no intensive care bed available; on 31 May, 12 and 14 June, all elective surgery was cancelled owing to an methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.
Surgery could not be rescheduled within 28 days for clinical reasons of which the patient and his family are aware.
The trust received 23 letters in 2001 from hon. Members whose constituencies are outside Manchester. The average response time was ten working days.
§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will discuss with the Chief Executive of Wythenshawe Hospital the hospital's methods of handling complaints made by hon. Members on behalf of their constituents; and if he will make a statement; [71378]
(2) if he will investigate for what reason the Chief Executive of Wythenshawe Hospital has not replied to correspondence from the hon. Member for Warrington. North about the case of Mr. Stanley Ford; and if he will make a statement. [71380]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answers 19 July 2002]We have taken this matter up with the Chief Executive and I understand a letter has now been sent.