HC Deb 19 June 1984 vol 62 c140W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if a patient returned to the community after hospital treatment, who subsequently needs readmittance for the same complaint or a complication following treatment, figures on the second occasion in the hospital waiting lists published by his Department.

Mr. John Patten

Statistics collected centrally on inpatient waiting lists do not distinguish between first admission and subsequent re-admission for the same complaint or a complication following treatment. However, a patient needing a planned re-admission is usually given a booked appointment rather than returning to a waiting list.