§ Mr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he is satisfied with the average eight weeks waiting time at a hospital clinic for gynaecological consultancy; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he is satisfied with the average 13 weeks' waiting time at a hospital clinic for orthopaedic consultancy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonWaiting time for hospital out-patients' appointments varies between areas according to the resources available. Patients considered by their general practitioners to need urgent appointments can generally be seen at the next clinic. We are satisfied that hospital authorities are taking all possible steps to keep waiting time for non-urgent appointments as short as possible.
If my hon. Friend has a particular hospital in mind and will let me have details I will gladly look into the position.