§ 28. Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting period for a child in need of tonsillectomy; and what proposals he has for reducing the average such waiting period.
§ Mr. CrossmanStatistics for children only are not available. The latest information for all patients is that the average waiting time for tonsils and adenoids operations was 22 weeks. The steadily expanding hospital building programme and the more effective use of resources will I hope reduce all waiting times.
§ Sir B. JannerWill my right hon. Friend investigate the position in view of the concern which is felt about 792 children not having this operation when the medical people concerned are advised that it is essential that it be performed as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. CrossmanI will certainly look into any local case which my hon. Friend has in mind. We in the West Midlands have certainly had difficulties on this subject recently. The whole question of tonsillectomy is still a very controversial one within the medical profession. I hope to get some help from the Medical Research Council in the not too distant future.