§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time for different types of operations in Salford, Greater Manchester and the country, respectively; how she proposes to shorten the waiting period; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenWaiting times for admission vary according to the circumstances of each case and urgent cases are admitted without delay, so that averages are misleading. The following table shows waiting time, prior to admission from waiting lists for operative procedures, of patients discharged October to December 1974 for Salford Area Health Authority and North Western Region—that is, Greater Manchester and Lancashire:
579WCorresponding figures on a national basis are not readily available. The problem of long waiting times for admission is of very long standing in many areas and specialties. We have made a start in tackling it by earmarking £5 million nationally in the coming year specifically to deal with those aspects of the problem which can be improved by capital expenditure. This is the first special allocation of money to reduce waiting lists. We have already sent health authorities an advance copy of a circular which we shall be issuing this month containing new guidance to help them in accurately measuring and attacking the problem of long waiting times.