HC Deb 12 November 1985 vol 86 cc411-2
2. Mr. Patrick Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on action being taken to reduce hospital waiting lists in East Anglia.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Ray Whitney)

The latest figures from the East Anglian region show that, in the 12 months to 30 September 1985, there was a reduction in the inpatient waiting list of 12 per cent. During 1984 the number of inpatient cases treated in the region increased by 4 per cent. The regional health authority is continuing to take urgent action to reduce waiting lists and waiting times still further.

Mr. Thompson

I thank my hon. Friend for that encouraging reply. Is he aware that, although the numbers being treated are increasing and the numbers on waiting lists are coming down, far too many people are still on waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery, especially in the Norwich area? Will my hon. Friend do what he can to expedite the appointment of an extra consultant and to bring forward plans for a second acute hospital for the Norwich area?

Mr. Whitney

I certainly recognise that point. I understand that during the next financial year a new orthopaedic surgeon for the Norwich area will be appointed.

Mr. Tom Cox

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This question is about East Anglia.

Mr. Cox

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this matter is of concern not just to the Norwich area? Is he further aware that in the Peterborough area—

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is just the point.

Mr. Dobson

I think, Mr. Speaker, that Peterborough is in the East Anglia area.

The Under-Secretary of State may be pleased with the improvements in hospital waiting lists in East Anglia, but can he confirm that in half of the districts in East Anglia—Cambridge, West Suffolk, West Norfolk and Huntingdon—waiting lists have increased in the last six months? Is it not a fact that in Norwich—the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) is so proud of the improvements there—of 263 women waiting for urgent gynaecological treatment, 224 have been waiting for more than a month?

Mr. Whitney

If the hon. Gentleman consults the details put out by the East Anglia regional health authority, he will see that there has been a significant improvement. Of course, that improvement has been patchy. The regions recognise the need to concentrate on the weaker areas, and that is what they are doing. They have taken a number of steps following consultations with my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Mr. Patten), who previously occupied my post, to ensure that those improvements are put in hand.

Mr. Powley

Does my hon. Friend welcome, as I do, the appointment of a district general manager to the Norwich health authority and other district general managers in the East Anglia area? Does he agree that those appointments will undoubtedly secure the more efficient running of all the health authorities in East Anglia, and in other parts of Britain, which will result in a shortening of waiting lists and more efficient management of all the resources of the East Anglia health services?

Mr. Whitney

I am happy to agree with my hon. Friend. The post-Griffiths management structure, which is now being put into place, will show a remarkable return in terms of patient care for the significant increase in real spending that has been put into the NHS.