§ 52. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health to what extent the period for which patients have to wait for admission into hospitals for treatment or operations has increased in comparison with five and 10 years ago.
§ Mr. R. ThompsonI regret that figures are not centrally available to enable this comparison to be made, but the evidence suggests that the period has decreased and not increased.
§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Health if he will state separately the numbers of patients on the waiting lists in the Gateshead and District Hospital Management Committee area; and for how long, in any convenient periods, such patients have been on these waiting lists.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThere is one waiting list for the group of hospitals administered by this Committee. I understand that on 28th February the numbers were as follows:
nurses be paid when they come off night duties.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am not aware of any difficulties, but if the present arrangements are causing hardship this would seem to be a matter which can best be settled locally.