Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 28 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 February 2004. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many people have been waiting for (a) inpatient admission and (b) initial outpatient assessment for orthopaedic surgery for more than (i) one year, (ii) two years and (iii) three years. - Inc table.

Answer: Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been waiting for (a) inpatient admission and (b) initial outpatient assessment for orthopaedic surgery for more than (i) one year, (ii) two years and (iii) three years. [152367] Angela Smith: Waiting list statistics are submitted to the Department at specialty level. The information in this answer relates to people waiting in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty at 30 September 2003 (the most recent information available). Waiting list statistics are collected in three-month time bands for all patients waiting up to 24 months. Patients waiting 24 months or more are grouped together within one category therefore patients waiting three years or more cannot be separately identified. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. One year Two years Three years Number awaiting inpatient 1,725 604 n/a admission Number awaiting initial 6,998 3,352 n/a outpatient assessment _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Source: CH1 and CH3

Secondary information