HC Deb 22 July 1968 vol 769 c46W
Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of patients in a hospital at any one time is awaiting the results of tests; and to what extent the running of tests for two shifts a day in pathology and X-ray departments would reduce the length and therefore the cost of hospitalisation.

Mr. K. Robinson

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. With regard to the second part the effect on cost of treatment of such an arrangement, assuming that the additional staff required could be recruited, could not be isolated from the clinical and other factors which have a bearing on length of stay of the individual and on the overall cost of hospitals.