§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many persons in Merseyside have died while on the waiting list for heart surgery in the latest period for which figures are available;
(2) how many persons have so far been transferred from the Mersey region for heart surgery at other centres; and how many have been transferred to each centre;
(3) if he is satisfied with the provisions of facilities for heart patients on Merseyside.
§ Sir George YoungSince 1 June 1978, 49 people have been transferred from the Mersey region to cardiac centres in London as follows:—
National Health Service St. George's Hospital 10 National Heart Hospital 1 Brompton Hospital 12 Harefield Hospital 2 Private Harley Street Clinic 8 St. Anthony's Hospital 13 Princess Grace Hospital 3 As the hon. Member is aware, the authority has given priority to a capital scheme to provide all adult cardiology facilities on one site.
Statistics on deaths of patients whilst on waiting lists are not routinely collected either by the Department or by health authorities and a special exercise, which would be time consuming and costly, would be needed to obtain the information. I understand that Liverpool area health authority (teaching) might be willing to mount such an exercise if the hon. Member contacted the area health authority (teaching) direct.