§ Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated in hospitals by the national health service in 1961 and in 1990.
§ Mr. DorrellThe method of collecting in-patient case statistics changed in 1988–89. Until that date statistics were collected on discharges and deaths from hospital. From 1988–89 they were collected as "finished consultant episodes" and included well babies who had formerly been excluded. The relevant figures are:
Cases treated in NHS hospitals Discharges and deaths Finished consultant episodes 1961 4,035,000 — 1988–89 6,586,000 7,335,000 1989–90 — 7,477,000