§ 3.6 p.m.
§ Lord ST. HELENSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what studies are being made with a view to reducing the average length of time spent by patients in hospital so as to speed up the clearance of surgical waiting lists.]
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (Lord Beswick)My Lords, a joint Working Party of the Ministry of Health and the Joint Consultants' Committee on the organisation of medical work in hospitals is studying these questions among others. Studies on various aspects are also being made by a number of institutions, including universities.
§ Lord ST. HELENSMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that my Question was based on a Press report of a speech which was made to the B.M.A. by Dr. Robert Logan, of Manchester University? Is the Minister further aware that in that speech Dr. Logan claimed that dramatic reductions in surgical waiting lists can be made by comparatively small reductions in the turnover of patients at a hospital? May I also ask whether Her Majesty's Government have any concrete plans for speeding up the turnover of surgical patients?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I was not aware of the reason for, or the origin of, 54 the noble Lord's Question, but I am aware that the Medical Care Unit of Manchester University is among the organisations which are carrying out research in this matter. I shall look at exactly what the doctor said, but I should be very doubtful indeed whether we can get anything spectacular from this development; although, as the noble Lord will know, the trend is towards a shorter stay.
§ LORD ST. HELENSMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for what he has said, may I say that I will let him have a copy of the Press report?
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, as women in childbirth are being discharged from hospital 24 hours after giving birth, may I ask my noble friend not to apply this to the process of obstetrics, because I do not think that any speeding-up process can take place there?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am surprised to hear that the facts are as stated by my noble friend. The average figure which I gave on a previous occasion in this House for a stay after childbirth was, I think, ten days. Certainly I agree with my noble friend that in our endeavour to cut costs we do not want to endanger the condition of the patient.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend to examine the conditions in, for example, the North-East?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, certainly I will look at them.