§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with his colleagues in the Welsh Assembly on hospital waiting lists in Wales. [184033]
§ Mr. TouhigI regularly meet the National Assembly Health Minister to discuss matters of health and social care in Wales: our most recent meeting was on 16 June.
The Assembly announced on 30 June that the 2nd Offer Scheme is to be extended to reduce the maximum waiting time for inpatient and day -case surgery in Wales to 12 months. This will mean that by 31 March 2005, there will be no one in Wales waiting over 12 months for surgery who has not been offered the opportunity of having their treatment.