How many NHS patients were waiting to be (a) seen following GP written referral; and (b) seen following referral to consultation, for each …

Information on waiting lists is collected centrally only for hospital inpatients and day cases. Data is available on first outpatient referrals and the length of time that patients waited for their first outpatient appointment. The median wait for a first outpatient appointment following a General Medical Practitioner/General Dental Practitioner referral for each quarter since 31 March 1997, is provided in the table.The Scottish Executive is committed to set and monitor targets to speed treatment and shorten waiting times. We plan to ensure that this commitment extends to outpatients as well as inpatient and day case treatment. The views of the NHS in Scotland and the general public will be sought before targets are set. These targets will be closely monitored and will be published.NHS in Scotland: Median Wait For First Outpatient Appointment2 Following General Medical/General Dental Practitioner ReferralDate | Median Wait (Days)
31 March 1997 | 75
30 June 1997 | 83
30 September 1997 | 85
31 December 1997 | 85
31 March 1998 | 82
30 June 1998 | 91
30 September 1998 | 90
31 December 1998p | 86
31 March 1999p | 63
p Provisional2 Excludes A&E and genito urinary medicine. Also excludes cases with a Patient's Charter guarantee exception code.Source ISD Scotland