§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints have been received about Oldchurch Hospital in the London Borough of Havering in each of the last 10 years. [101981]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department does not routinely collect statistics on the number of complaints received about hospitals. We do receive letters from hon. Members and from the public in respect of complaints about the National Health Service. However, NHS complaints are best dealt with at local level through the NHS complaints procedure. Therefore, letters received by the Department are transferred to the relevant NHS trust where appropriate.
In the last four years Ministers have received directly the following numbers of letters of complaint about Oldchurch Hospital.
Year Number of Letters 2000 56 2001 65 2002 23 2003 15 Information on previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on accident and emergency services at Oldchurch Hospital in the London Borough of Havering. [101984]
§ Mr. HuttonImproving patients' experience of emergency care is essential. In light of this, "Reforming Emergency Care" was launched in October 2001, supported by £118 million investment. It sets a longterm programme of reform supported by extra investment and new capacity to address one of the public's key concerns about the national health service-waiting in accident and emergency (A&E).
The NHS Plan set the target to reduce by 2004, the maximum time any patient spends in A&E from arrival, transfer or discharge to four hours. Barking and Havering Hospital NHS Trust is continuing to work toward achieving this target.