To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost is incurred by the NHS through the failure of patients to turn up for scheduled operations; how this figure is calculated; and if he will make a statement. [8740]

Information is not available on the costs incurred by the national health service for patients who miss their operations. Hospitals may be able to redirect resources, for example for the treatment of emergency cases that need to be fitted in during the day. In 1996–97 223,000 patients failed to turn-up for in-patient treatment. The average cost for a finished consultant episode in 1995–96—the latest figure available—was £1,103.