§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many patients in Northern Ireland are currently awaiting admission to hospital for orphodaedic surgery; what percentage of these have been582W waiting (a) one year and (b) two years or more; what plans he has to enable a reduction in the waiting list; and if he will provide the same information for 1980;
(2) how many patients in Northern Ireland are currently awaiting admission to hospital for general surgery; what percentage of these have been waiting (a) one year and (b) two years or more; what plans he has to enable a reduction in the waiting list; and if he will provide the same information for 1980;
(3) how many patients in Northern Ireland are currently awaiting admission to hospital for ear, nose and throat treatment; what percentage of these have been waiting (a) one year and (b) two years or more; what plans he has to enable a reduction in the waiting list; and if he will provide the same information for 1980;
(4) how many patients in Northern Ireland are currently awaiting admission to hospital for plastic surgery; what percentage of these have been waiting (a) one year and (b) two years or more; what plans he has to enable a reduction in the waiting list; and if he will provide the same information for 1980.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 14 December 1987]: The information requested is as follows:
In-patient waiting lists: Northern Ireland At 30 June 1987 Specialty Total Waiting per cent. waiting up to 1 year per cent. waiting over 2 years ENT 4,974 79.2 5.4 Plastic Surgery 2,586 40.0 38.3 Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery 4,471 61.8 22.0 General Surgery 7,076 70.9 16.8 Information on waiting times in 1980 is not available. The figures for 1981 are shown below.
In-patient waiting lists: Northern Ireland At 30 June 1981 Specialty Total Waiting per cent. waiting up to 1 year per cent. waiting over 2 years ENT 14,285 75.3 12.1 Plastic Surgery 1,652 53.9 24.5 Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery 4,933 40.7 39.8 General Surgery 24,662 74.4 14.2 1 This figure includes 100 patients for whom no breakdown of waiting time is available. 2 This figure includes 365 patients for whom no breakdown of waiting time is available. In its regional strategy for 1987–92 the Department of Health and Social Services asked health and social services boards to develop programmes of management action to improve waiting lists and waiting times and to concentrate on those specialities with the greatest problems. In the strategy, boards were also asked to reduce waiting times for hip replacement operations from nine to six months.