§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which statistics his Department has discontinued(a) the collection and (b) the publication of since 1989. [32865]
§ Mr. HoramChanges in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication of statistical series are made from time to time in response to the requirements of Government and other users of statistics. Other changes reflect changes in administrative systems on which some series are based and technological developments affecting the compilation and dissemination of statistical data. The statistical material sought by the Department from the national health service, family health services practitioners and local authorities is kept under review to ensure that the burden on respondents is fully justified by the uses to which the data are put.
Since 1989, many changes have taken place as a result of the reforms in the health service and changes in legislation. Collections which have been discontinued have been announced in speeches, parliamentary questions, in guidance to the health service and local authorities and in relevant statistical publications. As well as discontinuing series which are no longer justified, the Department has introduced some new collections, for example to monitor outpatient waiting times and to support the patients charter.