§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Minister of Health whether he will examine the problem of the waiting list at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol; what is the average time a patient waits for an appointment with a consultant; whether there is a difference in the waiting time required of a private patient of a full-time consultant; what is the current staff shortage, and in what grades; what building plans are being currently delayed in his department; and if he is aware of the need to improve the situation and allow a speedier service to patients and potential patients.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonApart from those patients requiring plastic surgery, waiting lists for admission to Frenchay Hospital are not abnormally large. The South Western Regional Hospital Board are considering in consultation with the Management Committee what steps might 9W be taken to improve the position on plastic surgery. A full-time consultant does net have private patients and I have no information about the time a private patient of a part-time consultant usually waits for an appointment.
There is no shortage of approved medical staff. The number of vacancies advertised at 31st October, 1966 was 76 made up as follows:
Nursing 63 Professional and Technical 2½ Assistant Home Warden 1 Domestic and Waitress 6½ Head Cook 1 Tradesmen 2 No building schemes for Frenchay Hospital are delayed in my Department. Work is in progress on new thoracic theatres and additional beds for the accident service and the Board hopes to find a place in its programme for other improvements in the next year or two.