§ 49. Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Health whether the investigations conducted by his Department into the reasons why 2,500 people in Barnsley and district are awaiting admission to hospital and how best this waiting list can be reduced, have now concluded; what he has found to be the reasons for this waiting list; and what recommendations he has made to the Barnsley Hospital Management Committee to effect its reduotion.
§ Miss PittMeasures to reduce waiting lists were discussed with the Ministry's 31W officers in Barnsley on 6th April by representatives of the Regional Hospital Board and the Hospital Management Committee. The Committee had already been operating most of the measures suggested, but the Board is arranging to provide more gynaecology beds at St. Helen Hospital by transferring chronic sick patients to Kendray Hospital, and is exploring the possibility of transferring pre-convalescent surgery to Wathwood Hospital, Rotherham. The Board is also seeking the assistance of hospitals in the adjoining Leeds Region. The main reason for the long waiting lists in Barnsley is the Shortage of beds, which the extension of St. Helen Hospital is intended to remedy.