§ Mr. DowdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of(a) the number of surgical procedures cancelled at Lewisham hospital since the imposition of the emergency-only admission policy in November 1996 and (b) the likely figure at the end of the current financial year. [19412]
§ Mr. MaloneMinisters are aware that elective surgery has been rescheduled at Lewisham hospital. The delivery of services locally is a matter for health authorities and trusts. The Department of Health does not analyse cancelled surgical procedures at a local level. The hon. Member may wish to contact Professor Maurice Lessof, chairman of Lewisham hospital NHS trust for details.