HC Deb 10 December 1985 vol 88 cc601-2W
44. Mr. Merchant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what progress is being made in the provision of heart bypass operations.

Mr. Whitney

We have asked health authorities to develop coronary artery surgery as a priority in the acute sector. Since 1977 there has been a steady growth in the number of operations performed and annual totals for the United Kingdom, according to information supplied by the United Kingdom Cardiac Surgical Register of the Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, were as follows:

Number Percentage increase over previous year
1977 2,875 *
1978 3,191 11.0
1979 3,538 10.9
1980 4,859 37.3
1981 5,951 22.5
1982 6,766 13.7
1983 9,443 39.6

* Not available

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are awaiting cardiac bypass treatment; and how long is their average wait.

Mr. Whitney

I regret that the information requested is not available centrally.