New NHS data shows big differences in local hospitals

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 25th Jun 2007

Vincent Cable (Lib Dem MP for Twickenham) says that new performance figures will not provide much comfort to those worried about the future of the West Middlesex Hospital

This week the Department of Health has published data comparing the performance of different hospitals and boroughs in delivering health care within the government target of 18 weeks. Kingston Hospital (in March - the latest figures) has met the target of 100% of cases, as against a UK average of 48%. In contrast the West Middlesex Hospital lags badly behind with 26% (and below 20% for oral, ear, nose and throat surgery and trauma and orthopaedics).

Of the borough Primary Care Trusts - who 'buy' the health care from the hospitals - Richmond and Twickenham has a below average (48%) performance on waiting times (36%) met the 18 week target. Hounslow is even worse (32%) and Kingston is close to the average. Hounslow's performance is actually the worst in London apart from one other borough.

Vincent Cable (Lib Dem MP for Twickenham) said:

"Targets are made and can be misleading but it is clear that, in respect of waiting times, Richmond and Twickenham Borough's residents, and Hounslow's, are getting a pretty poor deal.

"There is also a jarring contrast between the West Middlesex and Kingston. These figures will not provide much comfort to those worried about the future of the West Middlesex Hospital."