§ 37 and 38. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Health (1) what is the number of people in South Wales who have been waiting more than six months for an appointment with an eye specialist at the Cardiff Royal Infirmary; and whether, in view of the suffering caused by this delay, he will announce emergency measures to reduce the waiting period;
(2) whether he is aware that eye patients waiting for admission to hospital in South Wales have to wait long periods because there are only 16 beds for men and 16 beds for women patients; and whether he will take urgent action to improve facilities for these eye cases.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Edith Pitt)On 17th November, 212 patients had been waiting more than six months for out-patient appointments at the Cardiff Royal Infirmary. There are 178 ophthalmic beds in South Wales and the figures quoted by the hon. Member refer to Cardiff where the main problem lies. On 4th October, a consultant ophthalmologist was appointed to the Merthyr and Aberdare Group, and on 14th November, my right hon. Friend approved an additional consultant post for the Pontypridd and Rhondda Group. These appointments will enable the three Cardiff consultants to concentrate on the Cardiff waiting lists.