HC Deb 27 July 1998 vol 317 c94W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the waiting list for transplant surgery exceeded 6,000. [52363]

Mr. Boateng

The total number of patients (active and suspended) awaiting solid organ transplants first exceeded 6,000 in December 1995 with the number standing at 6,003 on 31 December 1995. At 12 July 1998 the total (active and suspended) was 6,494.

An active patient refers to someone who is well and awaiting their transplant. A suspended patient is someone who is not well enough to have a transplant and has been temporarily removed from the waiting list.