§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients were treated in hospitals in 1979 as compared with the years 1974 to 1978; and what is the present average waiting time for patients to receive treatment in hospitals.
§ Sir George YoungThe latest available information for England is as follows:
In-Patient Discharges and Deaths (Thousands): 1974 5,172 1975 4,976 1976 5,255 1977 5,345 1978 5,370 About half of all patients admitted to hospital for in-patient treatment are admitted immediately. For the remainder, the estimated average waiting time for treatment was 16 weeks in 1977.