§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what methods are used to measure progress against the targets for increases in capacity of the equivalent of treatment for(a) 100,000 patients in 479W 2002–03 and (b) 200,000 in 2003–04; and what assessment he has made of progress towards these targets. [85343]
§ Mr. HuttonThe priorities and planning framework for 2002–03 required the national health service to make sure that plans were in place to achieve the major objectives of the NHS Plan. Data collection systems to monitor delivery are in place and in the first two quarters of 2002–03, elective activity increased by 4.9 per cent. compared to the same period the previous year. For future years Improvement, Expansion and Reform: The Next 3 Years for 2003–06, outlines the delivery programme and the planning requirement. Delivery of these programmes will be detailed in local delivery plans.