To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was between general practitioner referral and treatment in respect of (a) breast cancer, (b) hip replacements, (c) cataracts and (d) endoscopy in the latest period for which figures are available. (308494)

The available information on average waiting times is as follows:

The cancer waiting time standard of a maximum wait of 62 days from urgent referral for suspected cancer to first treatment for breast cancer was introduced for all patients from 2002. The latest data (July to September 2009) show that 97.3 per cent. of providers delivered treatment for breast cancer within 62 days of referral. Statistics on average waiting times between urgent referral and treatment for breast cancer are not collected centrally;

Latest data (October 2009) for trauma and orthopaedics show that the median referral to treatment waiting time for admitted patients was 11.4 weeks, and for non-admitted patients 4.8 weeks. Referral to treatment data are not collected to the level of specific treatments;

Latest data (October 2009) for ophthalmology show that the median referral to treatment waiting time for admitted patients was 9.7 weeks, and for non-admitted patients 5 weeks. Referral to treatment data are not collected to the level of specific treatments; and

Where endoscopies are used for treatment, they are included in the gastroenterology treatment function. Latest data (October 2009) for gastroenterology show that the median referral to treatment wait for admitted patients was 3.8 weeks, and for non-admitted patients 5.6 weeks. Referral to treatment data are not collected to the level of specific treatments.