§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Health the number of eye hospitals, or hospitals with eye departments, in the County of London, in which the dispensing optician signs prescriptions for lenses; with his initials per pro a 170W doctor who has not tested the patient's eyes; and what action he will take to ensure that prescriptions are properly signed by the doctor who carried out the sight-test.
§ Miss PittDetailed information in answer to the first part of the Question is not available. If the hon. Member has Form H.E.S.l in mind I would explain that this does not purport to be the original prescription; it is a combined prescription-order form which is used only where a patient chooses to go to an outside optician for dispensing. The usual procedure is for the original prescription, which forms part of the hospital's records, to be transcribed to Form H.E.S.l, which then serves as the hospital's authority to the optician to dispense glasses under the Hospital Eye Service and is endorsed by an officer of the hospital authorised for the purpose. My right hon. and learned Friend does not consider that any action on his part is necessary.