§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are on hospital waiting lists in each of the regions of Great Britain.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what instructions have been issued to regional health authorities concerning waiting lists and times for treatment in the National Health Service; if he is satisfied that an early fall in waiting lists and times can be achieved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 11 March 1987, c. 234]: Copies of the latest information available centrally for health authorities in England, which relates to 30 September 1986, have been placed in the Library. While the number of people on hospital in-patient waiting lists at this date, at 681,901, remains substantially lower than the peak figure of 752,422 in March 1979, it is about 1 per cent. higher than at the previous count on 31 March 1986.
It is however encouraging that the figures also show a continuing reduction in the proportion of urgent cases waiting over one month, from 65 per cent. at 30 September 1985 to 63 per cent. at 31 March 1986 and to 61 per cent. at 30 September 1986.
The figures confirm the importance of the new initiative on waiting lists and times launched by my right hon. Friend last year, and re-inforced by the allocation last month of additional funds for 1987–88 to support 350 projects by health authorities to treat an additional 100,000 cases from waiting lists, in addition to the further steps they are taking by improved management and other action within their increased overall resources for the coming year.
The progress made on each specific project financed from the special fund, and the other action taken or planned in each District to reduce waiting lists and times, will be closely monitored by the regions and the Department.