§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons are at present awaiting admission to National Health Service hospitals in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter Thomas39,587 as at 30th June 1973. This figure covers all specialties, and hence the numbers include patients awaiting treatment or further investigation for all types of conditions, some of which are minor. In the year ending 31st March 1973, a total of 321,622 patients were treated in hospitals in Wales.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average waiting period for patients suffering from non-acute conditions for surgical treatment in National Health Service hospitals in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasPatients needing urgent hospital care are admitted immediately. The waiting time for other patients depends on the urgency of the case and the specialty concerned. It is not possible to give a meaningful average figure.