Written question asked by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) on Monday, 12 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 December 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 January 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Psychiatrist/Psychologist Waiting Times

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) average and (b) target waiting time was to see a (i) psychiatrist and (ii) psychologist for (A) adults and (B) children in Chorley in each of the last five years.

Answer

The information requested is shown in the table.

Estimated average waiting time from GP written referral to first out-patient appointment, September 2001to September 2005, provider based
Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks)
Sum of seven Trusts merged to form Lancashire Care NHS Trust
Quarter	0 to <4	4 to <13	13 to <26	26 plus	Median wait
September 2001	477	432	78	11	4.5

Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks)
Lancashire Care NHS Trust
Quarter September:	0 to <4	4 to <13	13 to <17	17 to <21	21 plus	Median wait
2002	480	332	39	5	5	3.6
2003	470	289	28	19	0	3.4
2004	419	232	25	0	0	3.2
2005	299	156	0	0	0	3.1
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
2001	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
2002	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
2003	41	20	6	2	0	3.4
2004	12	15	24	0	0	12.4
2005	13	9	1	1	0	3.8
n/a = not applicable Notes: Lancashire Care NHS Trust was formed in an April 2002 merger of the following organisations: RMB—Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare NHS Trust (MH services) RML—Blackpool, Wyre and Fyde Community Health NHS trust (MH services) REU—Burnley Health Care NHS Trust (mental health services) RJU—Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust (mental health services) RME—Communicare NHS Trust (psychology and drugs services) RMG—Guild Community Healthcare NHS Trust RVT—North Sefton and West Lancashire Community NHS Trust Data for specialties: 710—Mental Illness 711—Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 712—Forensic Psychiatry 713—Psychotherapy 715—Old Age Psychiatry 1. Due to small numbers, the calculation of the median wait is prone to fluctuation at PCT and SNA level. Care should be taken when interpreting these figures. 2. Waiting times apply to Consultant-led appointments only. Services in many areas are now run by multidisciplinary teams. Source: Department of Health form QM08

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 441 c600W; 37800
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Children Mental health services Psychiatry Waiting lists Psychology Chorley
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk