§ 33. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of patients on the waiting lists for surgical treatment at the Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley hospitals, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the actions he is taking to help the area health authorities to reduce these waiting lists.
§ Dr. VaughanThe answer to the first part of the question is 5,328, 3,304 and 4,157 respectively.
I view with great concern the increases in waiting lists which have taken place throughout the country in the last few years under the previous administration. Much depends now on the morale and motivation of staff in the NHS. This Government will be introducing policies 120W in the near future which we expect will improve these considerably.