§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average length of a hospital stay in Wales in 1979 and in 1992; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesAdvances in medical technology have made it possible that while the average length of stay of patients for all specialties in hospitals in Wales was 19.1 days in 1979 it was 10.4 days in 1991–92. The average length of stay for acute specialties, excluding geriatric, maternity and psychiatric specialties, was 9.5 days and 6.2 days respectively. Consequently, more patients than ever before are now receiving better care under the national health service in Wales.