HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 c351W
25. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on health service waiting lists in Wales. [302]

Mr. Gwilym Jones

In Wales, in the 12 months to June 1996 the number reported by health authorities waiting for first out-patient appointments fell by 7 per cent. from 115,000 to 107,000. The number waiting over six months for a first out-patient appointment fell by nearly half to 8,454.

In the past 12 months to June 1996 the number waiting over 12 months of in-patient and day case treatment rose by 171 from 5,465 to 5,636. Recent data from NHS trusts show that the figure fell back to 5,173 in August.