§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department is taking to reduce waiting list times for hip operations.
§ Mr. NewtonThe chairmen of regional health authorities were asked to report by the end of October on 355W the nature, extent and cause of delays in in-patient and out-patient treatment in every district. These reports will be studied urgently with a view to undertaking a sustained programme of action to reduce waiting lists and times. Health authorities have also been asked to increase the number of hip operations from 38,000 in 1984 to approaching 50,000 in 1990.