§ 18. Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for the Social Services whether he is satisfied with the facilities available for ear, nose and throat operations on children in the Birmingham area; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsCases of medical urgency are admitted at once but the waiting period for other ear, nose and throat patients has lengthened recently. The Board have been asked urgently to consider what steps can be taken to improve the situation.
§ Mrs. KnightWill the Minister not recognise that he is condoning a pretty harsh definition of urgency, and that for a boy who is known to be deaf to have to wait nine months for an operation to give him hearing is particularly harsh, bearing in mind the amount of valuable education time he loses for ever?
§ Mr. EnnalsThis is a matter for clinical judgment, but I certainly agree that it is important that those who are likely to suffer as a result of not being admitted at the time when they would wish should be given some priority; it is a question of the degree of priority.
§ Mrs. KnightIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.