HC Deb 06 May 1954 vol 527 cc577-8
48 Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Health how many women are on the waiting lists for gynæcological treatment for repair of prolapse; the average period of waiting; and what is being done to provide more speedy treatment for such cases.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The information asked for in the first two parts of the Question is not available, but the number of beds allocated to this work and the number of patients treated by the hospital service since 1949 have steadily increased.

Mr. Hynd

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that bodies like the

Hospital Bed Complement Staffed Beds Nursing and Midwifery Staff
Whole-time Part-time
St. Mary's, Paddington … … 485 447 448 4
University College Hospital … … 721 705 801 4
St. Charles' Hospital … … 529 449 192 19
Paddington Hospital … … 564 509 254 38
Queen Charlotte's Hospital … … 161 161 160 8

National Birthday Trust Fund, which have studied this subject, are alarmed at the fact that the number of cases also seems to be on the increase, and at the apparent lack of facilities when dealing with this rather serious question?

Mr. Macleod

It is true that there is a slight increase in the waiting list, but the waiting time, which is a great deal more important, has, in fact, been steadily reduced recently because of the greatly increased turnover in these cases. However, I quite agree that it is a most important and serious matter, and I am watching it.