§ 6. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Health what are now the waiting periods for out-patients at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and the City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, respectively; how they compare with the waiting periods of six months ago; and if he will reconsider the need to appoint an additional consultant physician in this area.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe present waiting periods for medical out-paitents at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and the City General Hospital, Stoke, are respectively two to five weeks and four weeks; six months ago they were 15 weeks and more than four weeks. I am informed that the Stoke-upon-Trent Hospital Management Committee will shortly review the need to appoint an additional consultant physician.