§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of using independent hospitals outside Northern Ireland to reduce local waiting lists. [169699]
§ Angela SmithHealth and Social Services Boards purchase services from independent hospitals as an appropriate short-term measure to allow patients to receive their treatment more quickly. During 2002–03 and 2003–04, 628 patients were transferred to various 1411W independent hospitals outside Northern Ireland as part of a range of initiatives to reduce waiting lists and waiting times.