§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the hospital treatment waiting lists for gynaecology patients.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 30 January 1989]The gynaecology in-patient waiting list is estimated to have failed by 10 per cent. in the year to March 1988. Of the £3 million which I have allocated to health boards to reduce waiting lists in 1988–89, a total of £218,000 has been allocated to projects to reduce gynaecology waiting lists. Boards have set targets to see or treat 3,510 extra out-patients, 614 extra in-patients and 690 extra day cases in this specialty. The £7 million which has been allocated for action to reduce waiting lists in 1989–90 will further improve the situation substantially.