To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether diagnostics commissioned as a direct access service, as explained on page 7 of Annex B to her Department’s road-testing guidance for payment by results in 2007-08, will fall within the scope of the 18 week waiting time target. (103204)

By the end of 2008, patients on hospital consultant pathways will be treated within a maximum 18 weeks from general practitioners (GP) referral to hospital treatment. All diagnostic tests on patient pathways between GP referral to treatment including straight to test referrals for diagnostic tests as part of consultant-led pathways fall within the scope of the 18 week waiting time target.