HC Deb 05 May 1993 vol 224 cc91-2W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of self-deferrals by people who had been waiting(a) 0–11 months, (b) 12–23 months or (c) 24 or more months for (i) in-patient and for (ii) day case treatment in each six months period since April 1987.

Mr. Sackville

[holding answer 23 April 1993]: Such information as is available is given in the table. Information about self-deferred cases is available only from September 1987. The increase in self-deferrals for day case treatment reflects the 128 per cent. increase in day case admissions over the same period.

Self-deferred cases
Numbers at end of six-month periods ending;
In-patients Day case
September 1987 40,766 8,977
March 1988 39,115 8,361
September 1988 40,753 8,433

In-patients Day case
March 1989 37,098 8,769
September 1989 38,224 9,905
March 1990 36,441 9,735
September 1990 39,274 11,865
March 1991 36,115 11,998
September 1991 33,868 12,469
March 1992 30,965 13,151
September 1992 35,992 18,134

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients waiting more than two years for treatment were removed from waiting lists(a) by admission for treatment and (b) for reasons other than treatment; and how many were self-deferred, in each regional health authority in each six-month period since September 1988.

Mr. Sackville

[holding answer 23 April 1993]: The information available centrally on the total numbers of patients who were either admitted or removed from waiting lists or self-deferred has been placed in the Library. Information on the numbers of these patients who had waited over two years is not held centrally.