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17 Jun 2004 : Column 1116W—continued

Waiting Times

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients were admitted to hospital within nine months of referral for admission in the last year for which figures are available. [176856]

Mr. Hutton: Data are collected on the number of patients who are admitted to hospital from being placed on the inpatient waiting list. For the most recent financial year for 2002–03, 90 per cent. of all admissions with a valid waiting time were admitted within nine months ¹ . During 2002–03 the maximum inpatient waiting time was 15 months. The current maximum inpatient waiting time in 2004–05 is nine months, reducing to six months by the end of 2005.

¹ Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Note:

Time waited statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.

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