§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number on hospital waiting lists in the Barking district of the Barking and Havering area health authority at the most recent date available and at equivalent dates in the years 1975 to 1978; and how these numbers compare with the national average in England and Wales for communities of similar size.
§ Mr. MoyleIn-patient waiting lists in the Barking district were:
30 September 1978 3,235 30 September 1977 3,303 30 September 1976 3,144 30 September 1975 2,868 Information for communities of similar size is not readily available but the rate per 1,000 population for patients on the "waiting lists in Barking district and comparative figures for England and Wales were: 692W
Barking District England and Wales 1978 21.1 13.5 1977 21.6 12.7 1976 20.3 12.7 1975 18.3 11.3
§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect he estimates the proposed closure of Victoria hospital, Romford, will have on hospital waiting lists in the Barking district of the Barking and Havering area health authority.
§ Mr. MoyleThe proposal is still under consultation and has not, therefore, been submitted to my Department. The Barking and Havering area health authority considers that the proposed closure will not have an appreciable effect on waiting lists as the case load of this hospital can be absorbed by the reopening of two wards at Oldchurch hospital.