§ 24. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take further steps to reduce the waiting time for National Health Service operations and consultations in Staffordshire.
§ Dr. VaughanThis is a matter for the Staffordshire area health authority, which I know views with considerable concern the length of waiting lists which currently exist in the country. Substantial improvements will be effected by major hospital schemes being built or planned in Stafford and Stoke. But it is not only capital developments that reduce waiting times, and I am pleased to note that the authority has introduced or is discussing various other measures to increase the number of patients treated.