§ 44. Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Health if he will state the steps which he suggested to the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board might be taken to reduce the list of people awaiting admission to hospital in Barnsley and district; and which measures are to be finally adopted by the board.
§ Miss PittThe steps suggested included systematic review of the waiting lists, the transfer of non-urgent cases to other hospitals, earlier discharge, and greater use of out-patient and home treatment facilities. The board had already been acting along these lines; further measures, including the transfer of tonsillectomy cases to Kendray Hospital, are contemplated, and my right hon. and learned Friend has arranged for his officers to visiti Barnsley to review the problem with officers of the board and hospital management committee.
§ Mr. MasonI thank the hon. Lady for that reply, but is it not obvious that the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board 30 has not been proceeding along those lines quickly enough, because there are still 2,500 people in Barnsley and district awaiting beds? Will she press the board to carry out these measures as quickly as possible, particularly while we are awaiting our new hospital?
§ Miss PittBoth my right hon. and learned Friend and I know that there is a shortage of beds in Barnsley. I think the hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that the proposed visit will take place on 5th or 6th April, by which time it should be possible to assess how far the measures already taken have achieved results and to consider whether anything further can be done.