§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the changes in levels of out-patient attendance nationally in 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what assessment she has made of the connections between this and the development of primary care.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere was a 1.7 per cent. increase in the number of out-patient attendances in England between 1991–92 and 1992–93.
The Government have identified a number of national health service priorities for research relating to the relationship between primary and secondary care. One of these priority areas is the appropriateness of out-patient follow-up, which accounts for the majority of all out-patient attendances. The role of primary care in reducing unnecessary out-patient attendances is among these areas to be explored.