§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if any estimate has been made of the potential savings to the National Health Service of treating patients at the earliest opportunity in relation to the cost of treating them when waiting lists allow; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe savings are likely to be very small in relation to the overall costs of treatment. Most patients on the waiting list have relatively stable conditions and will cost no more to treat after waiting. However, it is obviously desirable for patients to be treated as soon as possible. This is why we have made an extra £55 million available so far through the waiting list fund, to help tackle excessive waiting times.
§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has made an allocation of additional funds available to health authorities to help reduce waiting lists.
§ Mr. MellorIn 1987–88 £25 million was made available to health authorities from the waiting list fund to help reduce waiting lists and waiting times. In 1988–89 a further £30 million was allocated. I will shortly be making an announcement about allocations for 1989–90.