§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the average hospital waiting list in September from 1974 to 1978; and how this compares with the average September waiting list from 1979 to 1984;
(2) what was the fall in inpatient waiting lists between April 1979 and April 1981;
(3) what was the fall in inpatient waiting lists between April 1982 and April 1984.
§ Mr. John PattenThe district inpatient list return (SBH2O3) was introduced in September 1975 and records the position on 31 March and 30 September each year. The available information since 30 September 1975 is given in table 4 of the Department's statistical note 1/85 "In-Patient Waiting List on 30 September 1984, NHS Hospitals, England", a copy of which is in the Library. Information for September 1974 is not available.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the criteria used for compiling hospital waiting lists; and how those criteria have changed since 1979.
§ Mr. John PattenThe coverage of the district inpatient waiting list returns (SBH2O3) is given on the first page of the latest bound volume of district returns for 30 September 1984, a copy of which is in the Library. There has been no change in coverage since the introduction of this return in September 1975, but the guidance notes for completion were clarified on two occasions in September 1979 and March 1980. Details of these clarification notes were given in health notice HN(79)103 and statistical memorandum SM(80)2/1, copies of which are available in the Library.