§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Health what is the total of persons awaiting admission to Barnsley hospitals, specifying the waiting list and the type of operation required at each hospital; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient progress is being made to reduce the waiting list.
§ Mr. BraineThe figures at 30th September, 1963, were:
— Beckett Hospital St. Helen Hospital Totals General Surgery 384 40 424 Gynaecology — 186 186 Ear, Nose and Throat (Tonsils and Adenoids) 38 439 477 Ear, Nose and Throat (Other) 165 — 165 Orthopaedic Surgery 281 — 281 Ophthalmology 90 — 90 General Medicine 2 4 6 Chronic Sick/ Geriatric — 60 60 Others 80 — 80 1,040 729 1,769 This represents an improvement of nearly 20 per cent. over a year earlier, but all hospital authorities are considering what steps they can take to reduce waiting lists further.