Vince Cable

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%; but the West Middlesex 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 MP said: "Targets are made and can be misleading but it is clear that, in respect of waiting times, the Borough's residents, and Hounslow's, are getting a pretty poor deal. There is also a jarring contrast between the West Middx and Kingston and these figures will not provide much comfort to those worried about the future of the West Middx."