§ 14. Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average waiting time for in-patient treatment in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe figures show that there has been a dramatic reduction in waiting times from the peak of 95 days in 1983 following the industrial action of 1982 to 72 days in 1985, which is the latest year for which information is available.
Following is the information:
227W
Mean waiting times for all specialties in Scotland 1976–85 Year Mean waiting time (days) 1976 77 1977 75 1978 68 1979 80 1980 73 1981 71
Year Mean waiting time (days) 1982 65 1983 95 1984 80 11985 72 1The latest year for which information is available.
§ 16. Mr. GallowayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average number of patients awaiting in-patient treatment at National Health Service hospitals in Scotland in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe figures show increases of 10,000 and over 20,000 caused by industrial action in 1979 and 1982.
Following is the information:
Persons awaiting in-patient treatment at NHS hospitals in Scotland at 30 September in each year Year Number of patients 1978 62,464 1979 71,247 1980 67,387 1981 65,228 1982 86,365 1983 88,338 1984 83,077 1985 77,677 1986 80,708 11987 81,324 1 Latest figure as at 31 March. (The figure for March 1986 is 81,250.
§ 27. Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new measures he is taking to reduce hospital waiting lists; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI regard reduction of the length of time patients have to wait for treatment as one of the most urgent tasks facing the Health Service. An additional sum of £3.6 million has been allocated to health boards for this purpose during the current financial year. Further measures to make more progress will be discussed with health board chairmen and general managers in the next few weeks.