HC Deb 25 April 1986 vol 96 cc248-9W
Dr. Godman

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current size of the waiting list for treatment of all kinds of Scottish hospitals; and how this figure compares with those for April 1979 and April 1983.

Mr. John MacKay

The available information on cases for hospital in-patient treatment is as follows:

Number
1979 (31 March) 76,616
1983 (31 March) 96,761
1984 (30 September) 82,937

The increase in existing lists caused by industrial action in 1982 is now being steadily reduced. Lists tend to overstate numbers of patients waiting for treatment, since they include duplicated entries and patients who no longer need treatment.