§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what new proposals he has to cut waiting lists for operations within the National Health Service in the Greater Manchester area.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI understand that the North Western regional health authority has provisionally identified up to £1.25 million from its £1.9 million waiting list fund allocation in 1990–91 for the 12 health districts covering the Greater Manchester area. Details are still being discussed with districts, but this funding should enable 8,000 patients to be treated from the waiting lists. This is in addition to the £4.9 million allocated to these districts from the fund in the three years to 31 March 1990.
A management team, led by Mr. John Yates of Inter-Authority Comparisons and Consultancy, is examining waiting lists in South Manchester (general surgery and plastic surgery) and Oldham (general surgery). If the team recommends additional funding, allocations will be made in 1990–91 from the £12 million reserved for problem waiting lists.
In addition, we have approved and funded new consultant posts in Central Manchester (ophthalmology) and Bolton (trauma and orthopaedics) from the 100 new consultant posts targeted at districts with long waiting lists.
§ Mr. LeeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the current Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale waiting lists as between differing specialties; and what are the comparable figures for five years ago.
§ Mr FreemanThe information requested is given in the table:
121W
In-patient waiting list, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale District Health Authority, as at 31 March, 1984 and 1989 Specialty 1984 1 1989 General Surgery 724 217 Urology 296 295 Trauma and Orthopaedics 287 179 Ear, Nose and Throat 406 246 Ophthalmology 57 248 Oral Surgery 62 93 Accident and Emergency 2 — Anaesthetics 24 33 Gynaecology 677 426 General Medicine 5 — Dermatology 41 9 Rheumatology 3 34 Paediatrics 3 5 Geriatric medicine 1 — Mental Handicap 38 9 Mental Illness 26 13 TOTAL 2,652 1,807 Source: 1984 SBH203 return.
1989 KHO7 and KHO7a returns.
1 Less self deferred admissions.
An additional consultant ophthalmologist has been employed in the Burnley area and the waiting list figure is now reducing.