§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on trends in patient demand in the North West regional health authority area. [5851]
§ Mr. HoramThe north-west, in common with other regions, has experienced a steady growth in demand for hospital treatment in recent years. Hospital activity in the year 1995–96 showed an increase of 3 per cent. in ordinary admissions, 23.4 per cent. in day cases and 0.4 per cent. in out-patients over the corresponding figures for 1994–95.