Press release

Statistical Press notice: NHS Inpatient and outpatient events

The following statistics were released today by the Department of Health:** NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting: elective admission events…

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The following statistics were released today by the Department of Health:**

NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting: elective admission events occurring during the quarter ending **30 September 2012**

The figures for a quarter can be affected by the number of working days in that quarter so figures below have been adjusted for this where appropriate.  July to September 2011 had 65 working days and July to September 2012 had 64 working days.

The key points from the latest release are:

Inpatient Events

The number of decisions to admit has increased by 31,000 (3.8%) to 1.42 million, the number of elective admissions from the list has increased by 25,000 (3.6%) to 1.29 million compared to Q2 2011/12. 

Outpatient Referrals and attendances

The number of GP referrals made has increased by 49,000 (3.3%) to 2.94 million and the number of other referrals made has increased by 87,000 (6.5%) to 1.87 million compared to Q2 2011/12.

First attendances at consultant outpatient clinics have increased by 37,000 (2.4%) to 4.29 million and total attendances increased by 177,000 (2.9%) to 13.37 million compared to Q2 2011/12.

Did not attend (DNA) rates for first outpatients appointment was 8.6% which was the same as for Q2 2011/12.

In line with our revisions policy, we have published revisions covering the periods Q1 2011/12 to Q1 2012/13. 

Full tables are available on the Department of Health website

Notes to Editors

This dataset covers some key aspects of inpatient and outpatient activity in the NHS.

Provider and Commissioner based data

Commissioner based returns reflect data on a responsible population basis, which is defined as:

  • all those patients resident within the PCT boundary; plus

  • all patients registered with GPs who are members of the PCT but are resident in another PCT; minus

  • All patients resident in the PCT but registered with a GP who is a member of another PCT

Commissioner based returns also include data for specialised commissioning.   These are separate from the PCTs as there are different arrangements for commissioning specialised services.

Provider based returns cover patients who were treated in hospitals inEngland.

Feedback welcomed

We welcome feedback on the content and presentation of these statistics within this Statistical Press Notice and those published on the DH website. If anyone has any comments on this, or any other issues regarding the data and statistics, then please email:  

Unify2@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Additional Information

Full details of activity data for individual organisations are available on the Department of Health website.

Press enquiries:

To contact the Media Centre, please refer to the Department of Health website for the relevant contact details. 

The Government Statistical Service (GSS) statistician responsible for producing these data is:

Clare Hiblin

Knowledge and Intelligence

Department of Health

Room 4E63, Quarry House, Quarry Hill,LeedsLS2 7UE

Email: Unify2@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Published 30 November 2012