§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health for how many days patients requiring an orthopaedic out-patient consultation have to wait for an appointment at the Hull group of hospitals; what are the numbers of orthopaedic patients awaiting surgery; and, of these, how many have been waiting more than four months and more than 12 months, respectively.
§ Mr. BraineThis varies between consultants from 35 to 126 days but urgent cases are seen at once; 612; 423 and 227.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health whether he will send Hull orthopaedic out-patients, who have been waiting for long periods for treatment, to hospitals outside Hull for treatment; or, alternatively, whether he will arrange for orthopaedic doctors and physiotherapists from hospitals outside Hull to be sent into the city in order to reduce the long periods of suffering of orthopaedic patients.
§ Mr. BraineNo; I do not think this would give any net advantage as hospitals and consultants in neighbouring areas are already fully engaged.