§ 7. Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales which hospital in Wales has the longest waiting period for hernia operations; which has the shortest waiting period for hernia operations; and if he will specify the average number of waiting days for each of them.
§ Mr. GristInformation about numbers of patients on waiting lists for individual operations is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. WardellIt is not surprising that the figures for those operations are not collected centrally. If they were, they would deeply embarrass the Government. Will the Minister examine how such figures can be collected? 712 Tremendous improvements would occur in the quality of people's lives if they did not have to wait so long for their hernias, varicose vein and hip replacement operations.
§ Mr. GristThe hon. Gentleman is right. That is why we have established treatment centres. One, in Bridgend, treats hernia and varicose veins, and one in Cardiff, at Rhydlafar—what is it that we are doing there? I cannot remember; it does not matter. Treatment centres are aimed at the problems mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. We are introducing information technology in the Health Service to find out the figures on operations. I agree that it is extraordinary that such figures are not available now, but that is why we are spending a good deal of time, money and effort getting technology in our hospitals.