HC Deb 25 November 1986 vol 106 cc131-2
11. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients were treated in National Health Service hospitals in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how this compares with the figures for 1978–79.

Mr. Fowler

In 1985, NHS hospitals in England treated some6⅓ million in-patient cases, 960,000 day cases, and 37.4 million out-patient cases. That is nearly 1 million more in-patient cases, 400,000 more day cases, and almost 3½ million more out-patient cases than in 1978.

Mr. Knox

Does my right hon. Friend agree that these figures, more than any others, show the expansion of the National Health Service since the Government came to office?

Mr. Fowler

One of the figures illustrates that a record amount of health care is being provided. The other figures, which establish the same point, are those for the capital building programme, which show that a record number of hospitals have been built by the Conservative Government.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

These figures are one further example of how the Government fiddled figures. Is it not the case that when a patient is prematurely discharged and subsequently has to go back to hospital he is counted as a new patient in the figures for treatment?

Mr. Fowler

These figures—the exact measurements—were used by Lord Ennals, the former Labour Secretary of State for Social Services. Why was it not a fiddle when he used them, but a fiddle when this Government use them?

Mr. Dickens

Is it not a fact that the winter of discontent added to the waiting lists of hospitals throughout the United Kingdom? Was it not a Conservative Government who shortened those waiting lists? The Conservative Government are now having a drive to shorten waiting lists even further. Who are the Government of compassion? Who are the Government who care?

Mr. Fowler

I entirely agree with everything that my hon. Friend has said. I agree especially with his first point, that in 1982 the waiting list went up because of industrial action. However, that industrial action was not condemned by the official Opposition.