§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest figures of people on the waiting lists for treatment in hospitals in England and Wales.
§ Dr. Owen545,396 at 31st December 1973. This compares with 509,884 in 1972; 525,892 in 1971; 555,883 in 1970; 561,365 in 1969.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the duration of delay currently experienced in awaiting hospital attention in South Yorkshire and how this compares with the national average.
Waiting periods for admission in these specialties are as follows: 0–3 months 4–6 months 7–12 months Over 12 months Barnsley AHA General Medicine … … 2 2 — — General Surgery … … 214 125 68 24 Orthopaedic … … 73 8 1 — Ear, Nose and Throat … 176 107 176 164 Gynaecology … … 103 76 97 73 Doncaster AHA General Medicine … … 1 — — — General Surgery … … 347 225 276 520 Orthopaedic … … 142 127 129 244 Ear, Nose and Throat … 318 97 3 — Gynaecology … … 192 91 100 237 Rotherham AHA General Medicine … … 1 2 — 5 General Surgery … … 239 190 113 487 Orthopaedic … … 48 45 46 176 Ear, Nose and Throat … 40 70 48 115 Gynaecology … … 57 25 36 315 Sheffield AHA General Medicine … … 36 1 1 1 General Surgery … … 606 247 296 366 Orthopaedic … … 495 341 483 835 Ear, Nose and Throat … 249 143 263 481 Gynaecology … … 600 100 20 4 National statistics of this type are not available. Waiting time varies according to the circumstances of each case, and averages over broad categories of medical work would have little meaning.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting period currently applying for those requiring hospital attention in South Yorkshire.
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§ Dr. OwenWaiting time for new non-urgent out-patient appointment varies according to speciality and area. Maximum waiting times for certain specialties in South Yorkshire are shown below:
Maximum Waiting Time (Weeks) Barnsley AHA General Medicine 6 General Surgery 4 Orthopaedic 20 Ear, Nose and Throat 10 Gynaecology 3 Doncaster AHA General Medicine 8 General Surgery 15 Orthopaedic 21 Ear, Nose and Throat 3 Gynaecology 6 Rotherham AHA General Medicine 6 General Surgery 11 Orthopaedic 13 Ear, Nose and Throat 10 Gynaecology 2 Sheffield AHA General Medicine 4 General Surgery 8 Orthopaedic 18 Ear, Nose and Throat 13 Gynaecology 3
§ Dr. OwenThe problem of long waiting times for admission exists in many parts of the country and I am considering what can best be done about it.