§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the last year in the number of patients waiting over two years for hospital treatment.
§ Mr. Sackville[pursuant to the reply, 12 May 1992, c. 489-92]: Provisional waiting time figures as at 30 April are given in the table. These show that the number of patients waiting more than two years for treatment increased in April by 399 to 1,999. This compares with 51,100 patients at 31 March 1991. Regional general managers have been told to take firm management action to ensure these patients are treated as soon as possible and that the rapid fall in waiting times achieved in 1991–92 is continued.