§ Mr. Hoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the complaints affecting patients on the Clydesdale waiting lists of 1984, 1985 and 1986.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 26 October 1987]: Information relating to the conditions from which patients on hospital in-patient waiting lists are suffering is not available centrally on a constituency basis. No complaints about waiting lists have been received by the Secretary of State from patients in Clydesdale.
§ Mr. Hoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps substantially to reduce waiting lists in Clydesdale.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 26 October 1987]: I regard reduction of the length of time patients have to wait for treatment as one of the most urgent tasks facing the Health Service and I am looking urgently at the steps that can be taken to improve the situation. Health boards are already making considerable efforts to achieve reductions; the recommendations made in the recent report on the management of orthopaedic services in Scotland will assist them with their objective.