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Waiting Lists/Times

Volume 408: debated on Tuesday 1 July 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for an out-patient appointment was in each strategic health authority in England in each year since 1998. [120421]

The information requested for 1998–99 to 2002–03 has been placed in the Library. The tables show the estimated median waiting time, in weeks, for first outpatient appointments following written referral by general practitioner from 1998–99 to 2002–03. Over this period the number of people waiting over 26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment fell from 144,200 at end March 1999 to 17 at end March 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets have been set on the maximum length of time patients should wait for their complaints

Recommended time limits for resolving Complaints in the NHS
EventTime recommended
Local Resolution
Oral complaintDealt with on the spot or referred
AcknowledgementTwo working days of receipt, or full reply within five working days
Full response by trust/health authority, or family health service practitioner20 working days of receipt, or 10 working days for practice-based complaints, with extended period if health authority becomes involved
Independent Review for trust/health authority complaints
Acknowledgement by convener of request for Independent ReviewTwo working days of receipt
Decision by convener to set up panel, or not20 working days of receipt of request
Appointment of panel members20 working days of decision by convener to establish a panel
Draft report of panel50 working days of formal appointment of panel and assessors
Final report of panel10 further working days
Response to complainant by trust/health authority20 working days of receipt of panel's report
Independent Review for family health services practitioner complaints
Acknowledgement by convener of request for Independent ReviewTwo working days of receipt
Decision by convener to set up panel, or not10 working days of receipt of request
Appointment of panel members10 working days of decision by convener to establish a panel
Draft report of panel30 working days of formal appointment of panel and assessors
Final report of panel10 further working days
Final report sent to complainant by chief executive of health authorityFive working days of receipt of panel's report