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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to Worcester constituency, the effects of changes to departmental policy since 1997 on Worcester constituency. [198034] Dr. Ladyman: The Government have put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in all parts of the United Kingdom. There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the Worcester constituency. For example: At the end of June 2004, the number of people waiting more than nine months for in-patient treatment within South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has fallen to 0, from 752 in June 2002. At the end of June 2004, the number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for out-patient treatment within South Worcestershire PCT has fallen to 445, from 743 in June 2002. In September 2002, at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, 85.3 per cent. of patients spent less than four hours in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge. Figures for June 2004 show an improvement to 90.8 per cent. Between September 2000 and June 2004 the number of consultants at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has increased from 144 to 181. Between September 2000 and September 2003 the number of nurses has increased from 1,485 to 1,875. Between September 2001 and June 2004 the number of General Medical Practitioners within South Worcestershire PCT has increased from 172 to 208. Figures for September 2004 show that all patients within South Worcestershire PCT are able to be offered an appointment with a general practitioner within two working days and a primary care professional within one working day. Worcestershire Royal Hospital, part of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, is a new £87 million hospital with the latest facilities and equipment. The hospital, which opened in March 2002 has 550 beds and incorporates nine operating theatres, a large accident and emergency department, a medical assessment unit, and a critical care unit.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

198034; 426 c1395W;426 c1399W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Government departments Policy Department of Health Worcester

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk