§ 38. Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what trend there has been in waiting lists for treatment at the Basingstoke and District hospital since 1983.
§ Mr. NewtonInformation is given in the table. This suggests that the disappointing upward trend at Basingstoke district general hospital is beginning to decline. For the district health authority as a whole lists rose much more slowly, increasing by 2.2 per cent. between March 1983 and March 1986. Nevertheless, this underlines the need for the drive to reduce excessive waiting lists and times which is being undertaken, supported by a special fund of £50 million over the two years 1987–88 and 1988–89. Basingstoke district health authority and Wessex regional health authority are already implementing ambitious plans to make improvements.