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Department of Health: Autumn Performance Report 2003
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they will publish the Department of Health's 2003 Autumn Performance Report.[HL207]
Lord Warner: Today we announce the publication of the Department of Health's 2003 autumn performance report (Cm 6073). It shows the progress the department has made towards achieving its public service agreement targets.
The autumn performance report is an annex to the chief executive's report to the National Health Service, which has been placed in the Library. Together the two reports demonstrate the progress that we are making in improving health and social care services.
The report shows that more and more NHS operations are being carried out in outpatient clinics and general practitioner surgeries—without the need for the patient to stay in hospital. The number of procedures carried out in outpatient clinics rose to 1,735,000 last year, an increase of 129,000, or 14.9 per cent.
There are more and more NHS staff, but they are working harder and harder to treat more patients, cut waiting times and provide more operations. The number of doctors has increased by 9,500, or 10 per cent, since the NHS Plan was published, while the number of nurses has gone up by almost 38,000, or 11.5 per cent since the NHS Plan.
The number of NHS patients waiting longer than one year for their operation fell from 16,689 in September 2002 to just 114 in September 2003, a fall of 99.3 per cent. The number of people waiting longer than 21 weeks for a first outpatient appointment fell from 30,789 in September 2002 to just 198 in September 2003, a fall of 99 per cent.
These are just some of the achievements of the NHS in the last year. They have been made possible by the increased funding the Government are investing in health and social care, as well as the hard work and dedication of people throughout the NHS and its partner organisations.
Cambridge-St Ives Guided Busway
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 12 November (WA 202), what indications of funding they have given in respect of the proposed Cambridge-St Ives guided busway; and whether similar funding could be available for a rail-based solution with similar benefits.[HL7]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Department for Transport has undertaken an assessment of the Cambridge-St Ives guided busway appraisal, including an assessment of higher cost rail-based options for the corridor. The Government are still considering Cambridgeshire County Council's funding application for this scheme.
Railway Overbridge, Langley: Lorry Accidents
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 14 November (WA 231), whether they will undertake a new safety audit of the Station Road Bridge at Langley; and whether in particular they will reconsider the use of rigid beams placed at bridge height in advance of the structure on both sides. [HL18]
Lord Davies of Oldham: As my Written Answer of 14 November explained, Slough Borough Council as the local highway authority and Network Rail have been working together on measures to reduce bridge strikes. It is their responsibility to monitor and audit the effects of the measures already taken and to consider whether further measures are needed.
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