Waiting Lists: Greater London

Mr. Evennett
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the median waiting time was for (a) an out-patient first appointment and (b) an in-patient appointment in (i) Bexley and (ii) Greater London in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mr. Bradshaw
The following table shows the median waiting time for an out-patient appointment and an in-patient appointment in Bexley care trust area and in the London strategic health authority (SHA) area at April 2008-09.

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|                                                                                           |Median wait (weeks)|
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|Organisation name                                                                          |Out-patient        |In-patient|
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|Bexley Care Trust                                                                          |2.7                |4.9|
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|London SHA                                                                                 |2.3                |4.2|
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|Source:Department of Health Monthly Monitoring Return – Commissioner-based (April 2008-09).|                   ||
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Today, patients can expect a maximum 13-week wait for their first out-patient appointment and a maximum six-month wait for an operation from a decision to admit. These improvements are a result of a combination of record investment, the hard work of national health service staff and changes in the way the NHS works.

By December 2008, no one should have to wait more than 18 weeks from the time they are referred to the start of their treatment, unless it is clinically appropriate or they choose to wait longer. Delivery of the 18-week waiting time standard will reduce unnecessary delays and improve patients’ experience of the whole journey.