Waiting Times (Diagnostics)

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Health – in the House of Commons am 11:30 am ar 22 Chwefror 2005.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of John Reid John Reid Secretary of State, Department of Health, The Secretary of State for Health 11:30, 22 Chwefror 2005

I shall certainly try to arrange that in my schedule, but in any case I congratulate the staff not only in the hospital that my hon. Friend mentioned but throughout the country, who have matched the investment that the taxpayer has been prepared to invest in the NHS with reform and finding new ways of working so that output is greater, whatever the level of investment. The speed with which people can see GPs or be referred from GPs to consultants is light years ahead of what it was under the Conservative Government. However, I accept that, when more people are going through far more quickly, there is a potential bottleneck at the diagnostic level. That is why I am not only rapidly expanding the number of NHS scans, tests and diagnostic treatments but procuring from the independent sector. I stress to all hon. Members my pledge that, under this Government, charges will not be introduced for basic operations or basic treatments on the diagnostic side. To do so would be at odds with the founding principle of the NHS, and the Government will do no other than stand against such an outcome.