§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what directives have been given to the Trent regional health authority regarding his desire for cuts in the National Health Service; and what estimate he has made of their effects on the Barnsley and district general hospital.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNone, as we have no desire for cuts in the National Health Service and no intention of making any cuts in provision for the Service as a whole. The Trent regional health authority, in common with the other regional health authorities in England, was informed of its revised revenue and capital cash limits for 1983–84 in July. The overall regional manpower target for Trent for March 1984 was settled with the regional health authority in September, and represents an increase of 520 on the March 1983 level.
The allocation of resources to Barnsley district health authority is a matter for the regional health authority, and the allocation of resources within the disrict is a matter for the district health authority.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the size of waiting lists for all operations in the Barnsley and district general hospital; and what is the length of waiting time for each operation.
§ Mr. John PattenThe total number of people on the waiting list in the Barnsley and district general hospital at 31 December 1982 — the latest date for which information is available — was 4,446 of whom 4,424 were awaiting admission to the surgical specialties. Information on waiting time for each operation at individual haspitals is not available centrally.