HC Deb 09 November 1988 vol 140 c234W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients were refused hospitalisation in the Greater Glasgow area due to the shortage of available staffed beds, for each year since 1985.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Patients who require emergency treatment are admitted to hospital immediately if their condition requires this. Patients who require non-emergency elective treatment are admitted according to the severity of their condition and other factors. On occasion, hospitalisation may be deferred if an emergency case requires higher priority. Industrial action in protest at boards' plans for competitive tendering has resulted in 3,491 operations being cancelled this year.