§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on NHS waiting lists for(a) hip replacements, (b) cataract operations and (c) breast screening for each health authority in Wales for 1996, 1997 and 1998. [84511]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesWaiting lists for hip replacements and cataract operations are not held centrally. Aggregate figures are available for the numbers of people who had been waiting over 18 months for in-patient or day case admission for the following group of operations — hip and knee replacements and cataract removals. The numbers of patients waiting for an operation in this group at 31 December 1996, 1997 and 1998 are given in the following table.
Number of patients waiting over 18 months for hip and knee replacement and cataract removal operations Health Authority 31 December1996 31 December1997 31 December1998 Gwent 5 4 42 Bro Taf 0 12 249 Dyfed Powys 0 78 36 North Wales 2 4 14 Morgannwg 0 16 12 All Welsh health authorities 7 114 353 Bro Taf Health Authority, in particular, is concerned about, and is addressing, the problems of long waiters. Additional measures are being taken to increase capacity at the new UHW and Llandough NHS Trust and to offer patients treatment in other local hospitals.
There are no waiting lists for breast screening services which are provided by Breast Test Wales on a rolling three yearly invitation to well women aged 50 to 64 and by self-appointment for well women aged 65 and over. Following the transfer of functions, this will be a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.