§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice is given for local health authorities to advise clients about the possibility of earlier operations and treatment for hip replacements or other ailments in other local health authorities.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyHealth authorities are encouraged to make available to local general practitioners, and to those in neighbouring areas, information about waiting times in their hospitals. The appropriate nature and spread of such information depends upon the specialty and upon the circumstances of the area in question and is left to the judgment of the authorities concerned, in consultation with GPs. Such information is widely found to be helpful by GPs and patients alike.