§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average times for the following operations in the Trent regional health authority(a) hip replacements, (b) knee replacements, (c) hernias, (d) cataracts, (e) ear, nose and throat, (f) varicose veins and (g) gynaecological; what were the figures for five and 10 years ago; if he will also list the average waiting times for (a) to (g) above for the initial out-patient consultation after a general practitioner referral and the comparative figures for five and 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorSuch information as can be provided without incurring disproportionate cost is given in the table. Information on waiting times of out-patient referrals is not available centrally, and the hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the Trent regional health authority, who may be able to help further.
195W
Estimated median interval in weeks between the time a placed on the waiting list and admission for treatment hospital in the Trend RHA area 1979–87/88. Specialty 1979 1984 21978–88 Ear, Nose and Throat 18 15 8 Gynaecology 8 6 5
Operation 1979 1984 1985 Total hip replacement and other arthroplasty of hip 42 35 25 Inguinal hernia operation 19 8 11 Operations on eye lens (mainly for cataracts) 19 18 16 Operations on veins (mainly for varicose veins) 26 19 20 1 Ordinary admission—waiting list cases only. 2 Latest available year.