§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many in-patient cases are now being treated in the national health service; what is the 83W percentage difference between this figure and the figures in 1987, 1983 and 1979; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) how many day cases are now being treated in the national health service; and what is the percentage difference between this figure and the figures in 1987, 1983 and 1979.
§ Mr. DorrellA total of 6.59 million in-patient cases were treated in NHS hospitals in England during 1988–89, the latest date for which figures are available; this is 1 per cent. less than in 1987–88, 9 per cent. more than in 1983, and 22 per cent. more than in 1979.
A total of 1.02 million day cases were treated in NHS hospitals in England during 1988–89, the latest date for which figures are available; this is 15 per cent. more than in 1987–88, 25 per cent. more than in 1983, and 72 per cent. more than in 1979.
§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what savings to the health servide have been made from the introduction of the selected list of drugs; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyIn 1985–86 the Selected List Scheme saved £75 million on the drugs bill. It is not possible to make meaningful estimates for subsequent years, but there is good reason to believe that significant savings continue to be made.