§ Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the findings in the 1997–98 Annual report of the Health Service Commissioner for England, Scotland and Wales relating to the level of increase in new complaints in Wales relative to England and Scotland in 1997–98. [49414]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe number of complaints referred to the Health Service Commissioner is low (149 in Wales, 196 in Scotland and 2,315 in England). Relatively small numerical changes, therefore, can produce larger percentage movements year on year than are justified by the trend.
Since 1994–95 the number of complaints received by the Health Service Commissioner increased by 52 per cent. in England, 36 per cent. in Scotland and 33 per cent. in Wales.