§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health who will determine whether a patient in Greater Manchester waiting six months for(a) orthopaedic treatment, (b) ENT treatment or (c) general surgery is eligible to choose an alternative hospital. [99107]
§ Mr. HuttonApproval has recently been given by the Department of Health to the establishment of a national health service based "CHOICE" pilot scheme. In Greater Manchester, this is to be based around the Greater Manchester Surgical Centre at Trafford General Hospital. When fully up and running in October 2003, the pilot proposes that any patient registered with a general practitioner in Greater Manchester who has been waiting over six months in the specialties of general surgery, ear, nose and throat and orthopaedics for set of procedures will be eligible to choose an alternative treatment centre.