HC Deb 18 October 1990 vol 177 cc868-9W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of those waiting for non-urgent operations who wait longer than for one year, in each of the health authorities in Wales.

Mr. Grist

The percentage of people who were waiting for non-urgent operations in hospitals in each of the Welsh district health authorities as at 31 March 1990, and had waited for a year or more, is given in the following table:

Per cent.
Clwyd 13.6
East Dyfed 10.0
Pembrokeshire 53.9
Gwent 26.0
Gwynedd 15.3
Mid Glamorgan 32.5
Powys 0.0
South Glamorgan 25.5
West Glamorgan 19.4

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has as to which hospitals have been able to reduce the number of patients waiting for non-urgent operations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Grist

I refer the hon. Gentleman to table 6 of the Welsh hospital waiting list bulletin 1990, No. 2, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

In addition, the following hospitals also reduced the numbers waiting for non-urgent treatment:

  • Maesteg general
  • Talygarn
  • Breconshire war memorial
  • Machynlleth and district
  • Children's ear nose and throat, South Glamorgan

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the rise in the number of people waiting for non-urgent operations, as a percentage and as a number; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Grist

At 31 March 1990, the non-urgent waiting list was 42,685, a rise of 11 per cent. or 4,214 on the previous year. During 1989, in-patient and day case throughout increased by 7,549 to 534,478, a rise of 1.4 per cent.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning the need to cut down the waiting time for non-urgent surgery.

Mr. Grist

Health authorities are well aware of the importance which the Government places on the need to address the time people have to wait to receive treatment or diagnosis, whether urgent or non-urgent.

Record resources have been made to the NHS in Wales in response to increased demand and to reflect higher activity levels. In addition, central funding continues to be available to support the initiative launched in 1986 to tackle the more problematic lists and three treatment centres have been set up to ensure speedier treatment for those who suffer from specific key disabling conditions.

For the future, all health authorities will be expected to pay particular attention to waiting lists in the contracts which they negotiate with their providers.