Patients (Statistics) (Hansard, 26 July 1985)

§ Mr. Irving
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the total number of outpatient attendances in (a) Britain and (b) Cheltenham health district in 1978 and 1984; what was the percentage increase in each case; and how this compares with the previous five-year period;

NHS Hospitals

Percentage increase

1973 1978 1983 1973–78 1978–83

In-patient cases

Great Britain 6,158,093 6,434,519 7,165,279 4.5 11.4

Cheltenham DHA^* 15,842 22,036 23,710 39.1 7.6

Day cases

Great Britain † 668,457 967,146 † 44.7

Cheltenham DHA^* 322 1,359 2,718 322.0 100.0

Total outpatient attendances

Great Britain 38,551,217 39,653,273 42,732,890 2.9 7.8

Cheltenham DHA^* 89,323 116,163 131,635 30.0 13.3

^* Cheltenham hospital management committee in 1973, Cheltenham health district in 1978.

† A day case figure for Great Britain in 1973 is not available. The increase in day cases between 1973 and 1978 in England was 37.6 per cent.

§ Mr. Irving
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of day patient attendances for treating mental illness and mental handicap for each year since 1978 in (a) Britain and (b) the Cheltenham health district.

§ Mr. John Patten
The available information for Great Britain is given in the table. Returns available centrally indicate that there were no facilities for treating mental illness and mental handicap patients which were managed by the Cheltenham and District health authority during 1982 or 1983 or by the Cheltenham health district in 1978. Between 1979 and 1981 the former Cheltenham and Gloucester health districts were merged within Gloucester area health authority.
942W
(2) what was the total number of inpatients treated in (a) Britain and (b) Cheltenham health district in 1978 and 1984; what was the percentage increase in each case; and how this compares with the previous five year period.

§ Mr. John Patten
Information is not available centrally in precisely the form requested. The available information is given in the table.

Number of day patient attendances^* at mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units in Great Britain.

Year Number (thousands)

1978 3,735

1979 3,737

1980 4,085

1981 4,332

1982 4,286

1983 4,445

^* Attendances at day hospitals and main hospitals. Patients who attend more than once are counted separately for each attendance.

NHS Hospitals
				Percentage increase
	1973	1978	1983	1973–78	1978–83
In-patient cases
Great Britain	6,158,093	6,434,519	7,165,279	4.5	11.4
Cheltenham DHA^*	15,842	22,036	23,710	39.1	7.6
Day cases
Great Britain	†	668,457	967,146	†	44.7
Cheltenham DHA^*	322	1,359	2,718	322.0	100.0
Total outpatient attendances
Great Britain	38,551,217	39,653,273	42,732,890	2.9	7.8
Cheltenham DHA^*	89,323	116,163	131,635	30.0	13.3
^* Cheltenham hospital management committee in 1973, Cheltenham health district in 1978.
† A day case figure for Great Britain in 1973 is not available. The increase in day cases between 1973 and 1978 in England was 37.6 per cent.

Number of day patient attendances^* at mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and units in Great Britain.
	Year	Number (thousands)
	1978	3,735
	1979	3,737
	1980	4,085
	1981	4,332
	1982	4,286
	1983	4,445
^* Attendances at day hospitals and main hospitals. Patients who attend more than once are counted separately for each attendance.