HC Deb 15 July 1993 vol 228 cc624-5W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the number of recorded complaints about hospital services in each of the health regions in England and Wales during the last 12 months.

Dr. Mawhinney

The latest information available is shown in the table.

Written complaints by or on behalf of patients England 1991–92
Number
Northern 2,124
Yorkshire 2,074
Trent 3,328
East Anglian 1,699
North West Thames 3,426
North East Thames 4,091
South East Thames 4,375

Number
South West Thames 2,322
Wessex 2,435
Oxford 1,489
South Western 1,144
West Midlands 3,833
Mersey 986
North Western 3,391
Special Health Authority 799
Total Trusts 7,164
England Total 44,680

Source: K040 return 1991–92.

Under the patients charter, launched in October 1991, we made it clear that patients have the right to have any complaint about national health services investigated.

Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.