§ 30. Mr. Timmonsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers of children in Lanarkshire awaiting nose and throat operations; and the average waiting period.
Commander GalbraithThere are 2,000 names on the waiting lists, many of whom have been there for some years and are unlikely still to be in need of operations. Recent additions to the surgical staff at Law and Stonehouse Hospitals will, I hope, result in much quicker disposal of such cases in future.
§ Mr. TimmonsIs the Minister not now satisfied that this health service in Lanarkshire is hopelessly inadequate? Is 884 he aware that, due to illnesses arising from the lack of this operation, school attendance has been shocking, and that I have had complaints from large numbers of parents that children are kept on the waiting list for over two years? Will he approach the regional hospital board to provide a reasonable service?
Commander GalbraithThe regional hospital board is doing the best it can. The need for operations of this kind is frequently a matter of opinion. The purpose they serve is also sometimes temporary, resulting in improvements in the condition sooner than it would rectify itself by the passage of time.