§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of patients resident in geriatric wards of hospitals in the London Borough of Wandsworth.
§ Mr. AlisonOn 14th April, 1972, 595 in National Health Service hospitals, and 20 at National Health Service expense in
Under 2 months 2–4 months 4–12 months Over 12 months General Surgery … 351 111 105 17 General Medicine … 5 — — — Ear, Nose and Throat (T and A) … 119 110 46 1 Ear, Nose and Throat (Other) … 72 71 56 29 Gynaecology … 169 88 55 — Ophthalmology … 48 14 7 17 Orthopaedics … 52 15 17 12 Dental … 56 17 — — Paediatrics … 1 — — — Chest Diseases … 4 — — — Dermatology … 16 5 4 1 Total … 893 431 290 77 Percentages … 53 26 17 4
§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting lists for hospital admissions in the Carlisle area.
§ Mr. AlisonThe redevelopment of the Cumberland Royal Infirmary, now in progress, is expected to reduce waiting lists. Meanwhile, the situation is reviewed regularly and beds reallocated where this can provide an interim remedy.
§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the group of hospitals covering the Carlisle area is adequately staffed with consultants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThis group has 37 consultants; in terms of whole-time equivalents, this is 17.6 for each 100,000 population in the group's area. This is slightly higher than the national average of 16.5. The regional hospital board envisages expansion of the medical staffing as new accommodation now under construction at the Cumberland Royal Infirmary comes into use in 1974.
192Wa private hospital under contractual arrangements.