§ 6. Mr. Gowerasker the Secretary of State for Wales what are the present waiting lists for hospitals in Wales, and for hospitals in the area of Cardiff and district, respectively; and how these figures compare with the figures for a year ago.
§ Mrs. WhiteThe estimated total inpatient waiting list for hospitals in Wales as at 31st December 1969 was 30,196, compared with 29,091 in 1968. The corresponding figures for the hospitals in Cardiff and district are 6,899 and 5,961 respectively.
§ Mr. GowerIn view of the valuable work being done in some of the hospitals, such as Sully Hospital, which have had certain problems of which the Minister of State is aware, will the Department and the Minister give all possible help to hospitals in that category?
§ Mrs. WhiteYes, certainly. One of the reasons for the increase in the waiting lists is the increase in the number of patients treated, which has also increased very rapidly in the last few years.