07 June 2007 - Transformation in hospital waiting times - McGimpsey

The validated quarterly waiting list figures for end of March 2007 show that the number of people waiting six months for surgery fell by 6,600 over the year. Only one person was waiting more than six months for surgery at the end of March.

Validated outpatient figures for end of March 2007 show that the number of people waiting over six months for a first appointment fell by nearly 74,000 compared to the previous year. Only 32 people were waiting over six months for a first outpatient appointment at end of March.

Mr McGimpsey said: “The quarterly waiting list figures for March 2007 show the tremendous achievement of health service staff in meeting the very challenging targets set last year. I commend all of the staff within Trusts, Boards and my Department for their efforts in securing this improvement in performance, particularly at a time of significant change within health and social care organisations.”

The Minister said that he was committed to securing further improvements in the coming year, with new targets which should mean that, by March 2008, no patient waits more than:

• 13 weeks for a first outpatient appointment
• 13 weeks for a diagnostic test
• 21 weeks for surgery.

Commenting on the new targets the Minister said: “All patients are now having their outpatient assessment or receiving their surgery within a maximum of six months. These waiting times are a substantial improvement but still too long; by next year I want to see waiting times measured in weeks not months. I am very confident that the further reductions in waiting times required to achieve the new targets can be secured. I have met with staff from across the health service and have been impressed by their dedication, skill and desire to continue to improve services for patients.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. All publications are available on line at:

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/stats-hospital_community_statistics#waiting

2. About the data

• The sources for the data contained in this release are the Charter Monitoring Returns CH1, CH2, CH3 and CH4. These returns collect information from Hospital Trusts on a quarterly basis.
• Figures include all privately funded patients waiting for treatment in Health Service hospitals and those patients who are resident outside Northern Ireland.
• Data include some estimates and incorporate all returns and amendments received from HSS Trusts and Boards up to 24 May 2007.

3. Inpatient definitions

• Ordinary admissions include both (a) patients admitted electively with the expectation that they will remain in hospital for at least one night, and (b) non-elective admissions (e.g. emergency admissions). A patient who is admitted with either of the above intentions, but who leaves hospital for any reason without staying overnight, is still counted as an ordinary admission. Day cases are not included.
• Day Cases are patients admitted electively during the course of a day with the intention of receiving care who do not require the use of a hospital bed overnight and who return home as scheduled. If this original intention is not fulfilled and the patient stays overnight, such a patient is counted as an ordinary admission.
• The waiting list inpatient figures presented include people waiting to be admitted as inpatients either as day cases or ordinary admissions. They do not include:
• Patients admitted as emergency cases;
• Outpatients;
• Patients undergoing a planned programme of treatment e.g. a series of admissions for chemotherapy;
• Maternity (specialties 510 and 520);
• Patients already in hospitals but included on other waiting lists;
• Patients who are temporarily suspended from waiting lists.

4. Outpatient definitions

• An outpatient appointment is to enable a patient to see a consultant or member of his firm.
• The waiting list figures include all outpatients who have not had their first appointments by the end of the quarter.
• Outpatient waiting list figures presented do not include maternity specialties 510 (Obstetrics (Ante Natal)) and 520 (Obstetrics (Post Natal)).

5. This information was collated by Hospital Information Branch, DHSSPS.

Further information is available from:

Internet: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/stats-hospital_community_statistics#waiting

Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 90 520571.