§ 51. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that it can take up to two years for a Wareham resident suffering from arthritis to undergo an operation recommended by her surgeon, whether he will take steps to reduce such delays; and if he will make a statement on the particular case.
§ Mr. AlisonWaiting periods vary according to medical priority, but I am well aware that waiting times in orthopædics and some other specialties are sometimes long. As we have indicated previously, the medical profession is cooperating with my Department in a study of waiting lists which aims to secure general improvement. The priority given to a particular patient is a matter for clinical judgment in which we would not wish to intervene.