HC Deb 03 June 1986 vol 98 cc528-9W
Mr. Sean Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of reductions in patients awaiting inpatient treatment can be ascribed to (a) patients dying, (b) patients moving from their district of residence, (c) patients indicating they no longer wish to be admitted to hospital and (d) patients not responding to inquiries about their continuation on waiting lists.

Mr. Whitney

I am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks. It is not collected centrally.

Mr. Sean Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reductions in patients awaiting inpatient treatment have resulted from Government initiatives in 1985 and 1986.

Mr. Whitney

It is not possible to estimate from information held centrally the reason for the fall in waiting lists which has been continuous from March 1983 to the latest date, 30 September 1985, for which figures are available. The reasons for the reduction are complex and would include both the increased number of patients treated and action which Ministers asked health authorities to take to ensure that all names on waiting lists actually relate to people still requiring treatment.

Mr. Fallon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) inpatients and (b) outpatients were treated in the northern region in 1983, 1984 and 1985; and what were the percentage changes in each year.

Mr. Whitney

I am sorry I cannot give my hon. Friend all the information he seeks. Information on individual patients treated is not available centrally and figures for 1985 are not yet available. The available information is given in the table.

National Health Service Hospitals in Northern Regional Health Authority
All specialties 1983 1984 Percentage increase 1983–1984
In-patient cases 409,115 420,080 2.7
Day cases 66,093 68,658 3.9
Out-patient attendances:
New attendances 557,125 569,743 2.3
Total attendances 2,451,627 2,508,759 2.3