Written question asked by Lorna Fitzsimons (Labour) on Friday, 18 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 March 2005. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 7 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time for surgery for patients in Rochdale was in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004.

Answer: Mrs. Fitzsimons: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for surgery for patients in Rochdale was in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004. [217370] Miss Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table. Inpatient waiting list and time bands figures for the following trusts: fourth quarter ending March of each year _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Month end Unit name Estimated median waiting time (months) 1997 Oldham NHS trust 4.30 1997 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 4.08 1997 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 4.08 1997 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 3.25 2004 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 2.78 December 20041 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 1.93 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Please note changes in the time bands for this quarter. Source: Department of Health KH07.

Secondary information