Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 20 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 January 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 January 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the delayed discharge figures; and what audit mechanisms are in place to ensure the figures are accurately collected and collated. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the delayed discharge figures; and what audit mechanisms are in place to ensure the figures are accurately collected and collated. [92992] Jacqui Smith: The NHS Plan set out the Government's commitment to reduce substantially the number of people waiting to be discharged from hospital when they are fit to do so. Good progress has been made so far, with over 1,500 fewer people waiting to be discharged on any one day between September 2001 and September 2002. The Department is concerned to ensure that all data are as accurate as possible. Since April 2002, primary care trusts are responsible for submitting quarterly data to the Department. The Department can, and does, query data via the relevant strategic health authority on a regular basis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 92992; 398 c806W;398 c803W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Discharges Administrative delays Hospitals Hospital beds Primary care trusts Statistics
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk