§ 15. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to reduce the numbers of patients on waiting lists at hospital in-patient departments.
§ Mr. SnowAdvice to this end has been given to hospital authorities under several heads, and waiting lists are regularly reviewed.
§ Mr. WilleyWhile thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, as the waiting lists have increased by 50,000 over the past few years, will he redouble his efforts and do his utmost to keep the lists reduced?
§ Mr. SnowYes, Sir. This is our present policy. I should say that the waiting lists have been inflated in recent years by the introduction of new services. Cytology screening and the uncovering of latent demand have been two factors which have tended to increase the waiting lists.
§ Mr. LubbockIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, according to a study carried out last year by the Office of Health Economics, there are wide variations in the length of stay in hospitals for the same condition? One example given covers cases of tonsillectomy and adenoid operations where, in one group of hospitals, the stays varied between one and six days. Will the hon. Gentleman see what can be done to achieve uniformity between hospital groups so as to secure the optimum treatment for patients?
§ Mr. SnowI do not think that the hon. Gentleman would like to undergo an operation according to some set of rules. There must be clinical judgment in these matters.