Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schemes have been put forward by the South Ayrshire Hospitals Board to the South-West Scotland Regional Hospital Board to extend the facilities locally for surgical eye treatment; and what has happened to such schemes.
Mr. McNeilThe Regional Board have approved a proposal by the Board of Management for the Northern Ayrshire Hospitals which, when some building work has been completed, will enable six beds in Kilmarnock Infirmary to be set aside for the treatment of eye conditions. I am unaware of any scheme put forward by the Southern Ayrshire Board, who have at present six beds available for this purpose at Ayr County Hospital, six at Ballochmyle Hospital, and four (for children) at Seafield Hospital.
Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of out-patients of Kilmarnock Infirmary and Ayr County Hospital awaiting surgical eye treatment on 1st November, 1950; and how long, in each case, those at the top of the list have waited.
Mr. McNeilI am informed that 55 persons treated as out-patients at Kilmarnock, and 43 treated as out-patients at Ayr, are now awaiting in-patient treatment. The longest waiting times in the two groups are 11 and 12 months respectively.