Written question asked by Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 24 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 January 2006. It was answered by Shaun Woodward (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 January 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Antrim Area Hospital (Pain Clinic)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he plans to introduce to reduce out-patient waiting times for (a) priority and (b) routine appointments at the Pain Clinic, Antrim area hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: I recently announced a total redesign of the way in which out-patient services are delivered to ensure that, by March 2008, no patient will be waiting more than 13 weeks for their out-patient appointment following referral by their GP.Central to this will be the development of a new range of clinical assessment and diagnostic services—Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Services (ICATS), provided in a variety of primary and secondary care settings. This will ensure that all patients are seen quickly by the most appropriate healthcare professional and will include a range of assessment, treatment, diagnostic and advisory services. Waiting times for pain management services will be addressed with the development of ICATS.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 46344; 442 c383W;442 c383W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Clinics Health services Out-patients Pain Waiting lists Antrim Area Hospital
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk