HC Deb 23 October 1984 vol 65 cc571-2W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes have been made in the compilation by health authorities of lists of patients treated whether inpatients, outpatients or day patients since May 1979; and what changes have been made in the process of validation by his Department.

Mr. John Patten

There has been no change in the compilation or validation of our annual hospital statistical return since 1979 when the returns were computerised centrally.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average length of stay by inpatients in the National Health Service in each year since 1979–80.

Mr. John Patten

The information for acute inpatients is given in the table.

Acute* Sector, NHS hospitals—England
Year Length of stay in days
1979 9.3
1980 8.8
1981 8.6
1982 8.6
1983 8.1
*"Acute" is defined as all specialties other than geriatrics, units for younger disabled, obstetrics and GP maternity, mental illness and mental handicap.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average rate of return to inpatient treatment of inpatients discharged by the National Health Service in each year since 1979–80.

Mr. John Patten

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many inpatients, outpatients and day patients were treated in the National Health Service in each year since 1974–75, shown in actual numbers and as a percentage increase on each preceding year.

Mr. John Patten

The information requested is given in the table.

Patients treated in the National Health Service 1974–1983, England
Year Inpatient discharges and deaths Percentage change Day case attendances Percentage change New outpatient attendances Percentage change
(thousands) (thousands) (thousands)
1974 5,172 452 7,825
1975 4,976 -3.8 422 -6.7 6,926 -11.5
1976 5,255 +5.6 481 +14.0 7,498 +8.3
1977 5,345 +1.7 536 +11.6 7,612 +1.5
1978 5,370 +0.5 562 +4.8 7,712 +1.3
1979 5,400 +0.6 592 +5.3 7,713 +0.02
1980 5,670 +5.0 671 +13.3 7,942 +3.0
1981 5,760 +1.6 714 +6.4 8,025 +1.0
1982 5,720 -0.7 706 -1.0 8,097 +0.9
1983 6,019 +5.2 813 +15.1 8,311 +2.6

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the patients listed as treated in the National Health Service in each year since 1974–75 received acute treatment in private hospitals as a charge on the National Health Service.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.