§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evidence her Department has concerning the number of people dying while waiting for heart bypass surgery;
(2) how many people died while waiting for heart bypass surgery in each region in each of the last five years.
§ Dr. MawhinneyInformation is collected on removals from waiting lists but does not differentiate between the various reasons, which include death. Patients may die from a wide range of causes, in common with the rest of the population, while waiting for treatment. Emergencies are always treated immediately and patients who need urgent treatment are given priority.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average length of time a person waits for a heart bypass operation in each region;
(2) how many patients, according to latest figures, have waited for heart bypass surgery for more than 12 months, in each region.
§ Dr. MawhinneySuch information as is available is given in "Hospital Episode Statistics, Volume 2". The latest year for which information has so far been published is 1990–91. Copies are available in the Library.