HC Deb 01 July 2003 vol 408 cc238-9W
Mr. Ruffley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for an out-patient appointment was in each strategic health authority in England in each year since 1998. [120421]

Mr. Hutton

The information requested for 1998–99 to 2002–03 has been placed in the Library. The tables show the estimated median waiting time, in weeks, for first outpatient appointments following written referral by general practitioner from 1998–99 to 2002–03. Over this period the number of people waiting over 26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment fell from 144,200 at end March 1999 to 17 at end March 2003.

Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set on the maximum length of time patients should wait for their complaints

Recommended time limits for resolving Complaints in the NHS
Event Time recommended
Local Resolution
Oral complaint Dealt with on the spot or referred
Acknowledgement Two working days of receipt, or full reply within five working days
Full response by trust/health authority, or family health service practitioner 20 working days of receipt, or 10 working days for practice-based complaints, with extended period if health authority becomes involved
Independent Review for trust/health authority complaints
Acknowledgement by convener of request for Independent Review Two working days of receipt
Decision by convener to set up panel, or not 20 working days of receipt of request
Appointment of panel members 20 working days of decision by convener to establish a panel
Draft report of panel 50 working days of formal appointment of panel and assessors
Final report of panel 10 further working days
Response to complainant by trust/health authority 20 working days of receipt of panel's report
Independent Review for family health services practitioner complaints
Acknowledgement by convener of request for Independent Review Two working days of receipt
Decision by convener to set up panel, or not 10 working days of receipt of request
Appointment of panel members 10 working days of decision by convener to establish a panel
Draft report of panel 30 working days of formal appointment of panel and assessors
Final report of panel 10 further working days
Final report sent to complainant by chief executive of health authority Five working days of receipt of panel's report