Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the waiting lists for surgery at theSouthend general hospital. [142932]Mr. Denham: The number of patients waiting for surgery at Southend General Hospital have been affected by a combination of factors,the most significant being the increase in general practitioner referrals reflecting the development of new and enhanced service andemergency admissions which have affected elective surgical admissions. Southend Hospital National Health Service Trust is workingwith its other health partners and social services on ways to address this in both the hospital and the community.