Chamber and committees

The information requested is not held centrally.

The information is not held centrally.

The information is not held centrally.

The current maximum waiting time standard from 31 March 2010 for a first outpatient consultation following a GP referral, including in the speciality of ENT, is 12 weeks. This standard has effectively been delivered by NHSScotland since 31 March 2009, a year ahead of schedule.

The information requested is not available centrally. Scottish Morbidity Records data for outpatients is only recorded at speciality level such as ENT.

The information requested is not available centrally. New Ways waiting times data currently only provides information at speciality level such as ENT.

Referrals to tinnitus clinics by ENT specialist will be covered by the Scottish Governments challenging 18 weeks referral to treatment target which is due for delivery by end December 2011. This whole journey target will cover all stages of the patients pathway - including referrals by consultants to specialist clinics - right through to the start of treatment.

The exact number of patients who have been diagnosed with tinnitus in Scotland is not available centrally. However, national estimates can be given based on the number of patients consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for tinnitus symptoms, based on information obtained from the sample of Scottish general practices participating in PTI (Practice Team Information). The patients registered to PTI practices are representative of Scotland as a whole in terms of their age, gender and deprivation profile. The last year for which PTI data are currently available is the year ending 31 March 2009.

The estimated number of people consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for tinnitus symptoms in Scotland in the year ending 31 March 2009, by age group, based on PTI data, is shown in Table 1. Estimates are standardised by gender and deprivation.

Table 1: Estimated Number of Patients who have Consulted a GP or Practice-Employed Nurse for Tinnitus Symptoms in Scotland, at Least Once in the Year Ending 31 March 2009 by Age Group

Age Group	Patient Numbers
24 years and under	472
25-34 years	1,085
35-44 years	1,713
45-54 years	2,679
55-64 years	3,180
65-74 years	2,183
75 years & over	1,623

 

The exact number of patients who have been diagnosed with tinnitus in Scotland is not available centrally. However, national estimates can be given based on the number of patients consulting a GP or practice-employed nurse for tinnitus symptoms, based on information obtained from the sample of Scottish general practices participating in PTI (Practice Team Information). The patients registered to PTI practices are representative of Scotland as a whole in terms of their age, gender and deprivation profile. The last year for which PTI data are currently available is the year ending 31 March 2009.

The estimated number of patients who have consulted a GP or practice-employed nurse for tinnitus symptoms in Scotland, at least once for each financial year ending 31 March 2005 to 2009, based on PTI data, is shown in Table 1. Estimates are standardised by gender, age and deprivation.

Table 1: Estimated Number of Patients who have Consulted a GP or Practice-Employed Nurse for Tinnitus Symptoms in Scotland, at Least Once for Each Financial Year Ending 31 March 2005-09

Year	Patient Numbers
2004-05	10,526
2005-06	10,847
2006-07	10,442
2007-08	11,188
2008-09	13,001

 

Information is not held centrally on administrative support for healthcare services as this is a matter for local determination.

Queen Margaret University runs an annual Continuing Professional Development programme which is free and accessible to all NHS Audiology employees and covers all aspects of Audiology.