Mr. McCradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to reduce the waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyDuring the past two years, the Department of Health and Social Services has made available an additional £467,000 for orthopaedic services in Northern Ireland in recognition of the need to improve the level of services and reduce waiting lists. I hope to announce shortly details of further additional resources for regional medical services developments this year, including orthopaedics. I believe that more can also be done to reduce waiting lists and waiting times through better management. Health and social services boards are currently responding to a report on better waiting list management by a group of clinicians known as CREST (clinical resource efficiency support team) which offers advice to the Department, boards and clinicians on ways to improve clinical efficiency. I am pleased to say that the numbers waiting for orthopaedic surgery fell from 4,939 in September 1988 to 3,456 in September 1990.