§ 31 and 41. Dr. David Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he is planning to take in the immediate future to relieve the growing waiting lists for hospital in-patient care in the Plymouth clinical area, given that the new Derriford Hospital will not be ready for use in the short term;
(2) whether any consideration is being given to offering patients awaiting surgical in-patient treatment in the Plymouth 228W clinical area the opportunity of immediate treatment in other hospitals in the county where there are not such large waiting lists.
§ Mr. AlisonThe waiting lists in the Plymouth clinical area on 31st March, 1971, showed a reduction of over 500 compared with the previous year. The South-Western Regional Hospital Board is planning improvements at Freedom Fields, Mount Gould and Plympton Hospitals which will improve existing facilities. I am asking the board to examine the possibility of securing the transfer of patients from Plymouth waiting lists to shorter lists elsewhere in the county.