Contingent Valuation of Time Spent on NHS Waiting Lists

This paper derives estimates of the consumer-bourne costs of waiting lists for nonurgent medical care. The methodology used is contingent valuation. The paper examines the use of this methodology and presents the experimental context and the estimates derived. The estimates indicate the average valuation of a month spent on a waiting list for nonurgent care is approximately 40 pounds, but also show that there exist significant interpersonal differences in valuations. Copyright 1990 by Royal Economic Society.