HC Deb 10 July 1995 vol 263 cc610-1
11. Sir David Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) in-patients and (b) out-patients were treated in NHS hospitals in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what these figures were in 1979. [31449]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Rod Richards)

The NHS in Wales saw 633,000 new outpatients and treated 739,000 inpatients and day cases in 1994–95, compared with 429,000 and 381,000 respectively in 1979. Those are increases of 48 per cent. and 94 per cent. respectively. These data were compiled and collated by officials of Her Majesty's Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Sir David Knox

Does my hon. Friend agree that those figures show a great improvement in the national health service in Wales since the present Government took office? Will he confirm that the increase in the number of patients being treated has been faster since the national health service reforms were introduced?

Mr. Richards

My hon. Friend is absolutely correct. The increase reflects the reforms in the national health service, the greater sums of money being spent on the NHS and the effective way in which that money is being spent on more doctors and nurses. I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the patients charter for Wales—the NHS performance targets—a copy of which can be found in the Library. My hon. Friend may be interested to note that that publication is available in Welsh for Welsh speakers and in English for English speakers. I am considering producing next year an illustrated version for the Opposition.

Sir Wyn Roberts

Because of the tremendous record of improvement in the health service in Wales, may I reassure my right hon. Friend that he will be courteously received by most people wherever he goes in Wales and that he will be warmly welcomed if he listens, as I am sure he will, to people's legitimate concerns? May I urge him to disregard totally the abrogation of duty by Labour Members, who claim that they represent the views of the people of Wales—who cherish no such resentment against my right hon. Friend? Meanwhile, will my hon. Friend assure me that the progress already made in the health service in Wales will continue for the foreseeable future?

Mr. Richards

My right hon. Friend is wise, as always. During the past 16 years, the national health service has been as safe in his hands as it has been in the hands of every Conservative Government since the war.

My right hon. Friend's assessment of the nature of the Welsh people and the welcome that they will give is correct. Indeed, they welcomed my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales only last Friday when he visited a hospital in Gwent where, sadly, there were people who had been injured in a coach crash in Raglan. He went there to show sympathy for those who had been injured in the crash and to show that the national health service is the highest priority of Her Majesty's Government in Wales. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was welcomed in Gwent that day and I have every confidence that he will be welcomed everywhere else he goes in Wales.