HC Deb 03 April 1979 vol 965 cc571-2W
58. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made with introducing common waiting lists in National Health Service hospitals for non-urgent cases.

Mr. Ennals

I wrote to health authorities on 19 December asking them to introduce common waiting lists immediately for urgent cases and the seriously ill, and to discuss with their consultant staff the steps which would have to be taken to extend common waiting lists to all patients. I asked health authorities to report the outcome of these discussions to me by July. When I have the reports I shall prepare proposals for the extension of common waiting lists to all patients and shall discuss these proposals urgently with the medical profession.