HC Deb 09 February 1959 vol 599 cc856-7
47. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health if he will have an inquiry made into the employment, welfare, and medical problems affecting those on hospital waiting lists in the Newcastle region.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Richard Thompson)

The hospital boards concerned review the waiting lists regularly and take action to reduce them. My right hon. and learned Friend is not satisfied that a special inquiry would be of any practical benefit.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there are very severe problems, including the question of employment and welfare, affecting those on waiting lists, and that it is the opinion of many regional hospital boards and others that it will be extremely valuable to have a full inquiry into the actual conditions under which people are waiting to help in a decision on further provision of hospital accommodation?

Mr. Thompson

I see the hon. Gentleman's point, but an inquiry would produce little that is new. It might show the proportion of people on waiting lists who have employment, welfare and medical problems, but it could hardly affect the known need to reduce waiting lists.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will the hon. Gentleman say what action he is taking to ensure that these waiting lists are cut down.

Mr. Thompson

The regional hospital board and the board of governors are already doing all that they can within their resources to expand facilities and reduce waiting time. The answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Durham (Mr. Grey) on 26th January shows that £81 million has been spent on capital development, and the regional board's number of consultants has trebled since 1948.

Dame Irene Ward

May I ask my hon. Friend, as I have a Question on the Order Paper, if he can say whether conversations have taken place between the regional hospital board and himself on this question? Is he aware that, in spite of the answer which he has given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop), the regional hospital board is not satisfied, and if it is not satisfied Members representing North Country constituencies want to know what the Minister intends to do about it?

Mr. Thompson

In general, I would say to my hon. Friend that the Newcastle waiting lists, which are, I think, what the hon. Lady is mainly concerned with, are very similar to those elsewhere on a per thousand of the population basis, and the regional hospital board and the board of governors are particularly conscientious in reviewing this problem at regular, short intervals and doing all they can to deal with special local difficulties. The lists have been substantially reduced since 1953, although there was a slight upturn in 1956–57.

Mr. Blenkinsop

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter as soon as possible on the Adjournment.

Dame Irene Ward

With me as well.