§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many different types of operation are currently performed and on how many people, under the National Health Service; what were the comparable figures 10, 15 and 30 years ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanInformation on the number of different types of operation performed is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
The figures available centrally show an increase in the number of in-patient cases operated on from 1.33 million in 1961 to 2.39 million in 1986. In addition, 0.8 million day cases were operated on in 1986. Corresponding figures for 1987–88 are not available, but the number of in-patient cases treated in the surgical specialties increased from 2.43 million in 1986 to 2.52 million in 1987–88.