§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are(a) the number of patients on waiting lists for admission to each district general hospital within Mid-Glamorgan for each specialty; and what is the average time on the list and (b) the number of patients waiting to see each consultant; and what is the average waiting time.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettThe most recent information available on in-patient and day case waiting lists and median waiting times, analysed by hospital and specialty, is published in "Welsh Hospital Waiting List Bulletin 1991: No. 2," which is available in the Library of the House.
538WInformation on consultant waiting lists and waiting times is not held centrally. However, the recently published patients charter sets out the Government's plans to improve the quality and range of information on health care services in Wales with locally published waiting times for out-patient, day care and in-patient treatment by hospital, specialty and consultant.
In support of the priority attached to reducing waiting times, the waiting times initiative received record funding of £1.3 million in 1991. In addition, over £2 million has been allocated to the Department's unique treatment centre initiative which aims to treat Welsh patients waiting for treatment for certain key disabling conditions. Four treatment centres have been opened since December 1989. These measures, together with the increased efficiency resulting from the reforms of the health service will lead to downward pressure on waiting lists. In addition, all health authorities in Wales are committed to the waiting times targets set out in the "Agenda for Action" which will deliver a progressively improving service for patients.