§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the average period of the waiting list in Liverpool for heart surgery; and how many patients are currently waiting for such operations;
(2) how many heart surgery operations were carried out in 1979–80 in Liverpool; and how many Liverpool people had to go to other area health authorities to have such operations in 1979.
§ Sir George YoungThe Liverpool area health authority (teaching) does not maintain records of average waiting times for heart surgery. 82 patients were on the waiting list in December 1979, the latest date for which figures are available and, during 1979, I understand that 276 operations were performed in Liverpool; in addition, during that period 20 patients received treatment by arrangement with London hospitals.