§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the first and second quarter figures for 1998–99 for the number of patients aged(a) under 20, (b) 20 to 59 and (c) 59 to 74 years who were readmitted to hospital as an emergency within 28 days of discharge. [66466]
§ Mr. DenhamThe information is not available in the form requested. We will be publishing clinical indicators shortly which will include information on emergency re-admissions which occur within 28 days of hospital discharge. Data are being compiled using a complex102W process which links different hospital episodes for the same patient and will be available for the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98.