§ Mr. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the long waiting lists in certain areas for hospital treatment, he will encourage more patients being moved to other health areas where waiting lists for certain types of operation are not so long.
§ Mr. John PattenIt is always open to a GP to refer a patient to a hospital which may be able to treat the patient sooner. The decision whether to do so is a matter of individual clinical judgment, and the Department's guidance encourages health authorities to circulate information about waiting lists in different hospitals.