Hospital Waiting Lists

HC Deb 06 March 1973 vol 852 cc68-9W

40. Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state the average length of waiting time for admission to the North Staffordshire hospitals; and whether he will take further steps to reduce this waiting time.

Mr. Alison

The average length of waiting time is 17.8 weeks but varies widely according to specialty. Urgent cases are admitted without delay.

The £6 million so far invested in capital developments in the North Staffordshire area together with future planned developments will contribute to a reduction of waiting time.

63. Sir D. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present delay in admitting people for non-urgent but serious operations to the Peterborough General Hospital, Huntingdon Hospital and the old and new Addenbrookes Hospitals at Cambridge respectively.

Mr. Alison

Waiting times for admission for non-urgent operations vary according to the specialty and the circumstances of the individual case from one week to over 12 months. I am sending my right hon. and learned Friend more detailed information.

68. Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service how many children are on the waiting list for operations at Derbyshire Children's Hospital; how many beds are available; what has been the average waiting period in recent

The table below gives the number of children on the waiting list at the Derbyshire Children's Hospital and the length of time they had been waiting on 31st December 1972. Urgent cases are admitted without delay.

		Less than 3 months	3 to 6 months	6 to 12 months	12 months to 2 years	Over 2 years	Total
General Surgery	…	7	—	—	—	—	7
Ear, Nose and Throat— (Tonsils and Adenoids)	…	140	113	202	85	4	544
Ear, Nose and Throat (Other)	…	83	29	20	14	—	146
Orthopaedics	…	12	—	—	—	—	12
Total	…	242	142	222	99	4	709

Of the 92 beds available in the hospital, 20 are allocated to ear, nose and throat patients. The regional hospital board is taking steps to appoint an extra senior registrar and senior house officer to the ear, nose and throat department during 1973–74. It is also planning to provide an extra 14 or 15 beds at the hospital during 1974–75.