HC Deb 29 April 1983 vol 41 cc437-8W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inpatients and outpatients were treated in National Health Service hospitals in Northern Ireland in 1981–82 and 1978–79.

Mr. John Patten

Statistical information is kept on a calendar year basis. The number of patients admitted to Health Service hospitals and the number of new outpatients referred to Health Service hospitals in 1978 and 1981 were as follows:

Inpatients Outpatients
1978 243,080 634,598
1981 264,292 694,558

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many geriatric patients were treated in National Health Service hospitals in Northern Ireland in the years 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively.

Mr. John Patten

Information is not available in the form requested. However, the following table shows the number of patients treated and discharged—including deaths—from geriatric units in the years in question. It also shows the numbers of attendances at day hospitals attached to geriatric units and at geriatric outpatient clinics.

Year Number of discharges and deaths from geriatric units Number of attendances at day hospitals attached to geriatric units Number of attendances at geriatric out-patient clinics
1979 4,586 N/A 1,546
1980 4,994 N/A 1,725
1981 4,861 26,676 4,302
1982 N/A N/A N/A
Notes:
The figure relate to the total number of discharges or attendances and not to individuals.
N/A=Not available.