§ 34. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospitals in Scotland have out-patient departments: how many of these have an appointments system; and what steps he is taking to cut down the waiting time of patients.
§ Mr. MaclayAbout 165 hospitals provide regular out-patient services and almost all of these operate appointment systems for the majority of their clinics. At a number of hospitals new and improved departments are being provided. Boards of management have been advised from time to time on arrangements to keep down waiting time and asked to keep their out-patient departments under regular review.