§ 41. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the Blackburn Education Committee's representations with regard to the delay in carrying out operations for the removal of tonsils and adenoids in Blackburn school children.
§ Mrs. CastleCan the hon. Lady tell the House whether that reply is satisfactory? Is she not aware that the waiting list of school children for these operations in Blackburn was 106 in December, 1958, and it had risen to 295 by December, 1959? Will she bear in mind that the local hospital management committee does its very best to co-operate with the authority in dealing with these cases but it is limited by shortage of staff and shortage of beds? Is it not time that the north-western region got a look in?
§ Miss PittI hope the reply will be satisfactory. Briefly, the regional hospital board had prepared plans for major extensions in Blackburn Royal Infirmary to include additional beds and operating theatre facilities for ear, nose and throat cases. My right hon. and learned Friend hopes soon to be in a position to authorise it to prepare working drawings and bills of quantities.