§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Health what delays there are in the area of the South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board in carrying out operations for the removal of cataract, once such cases have been medically certified as ready for such an operation; in particular, what delays are currently faced by such patients from Dorking Hospital; whether he is satisfied with the present position; and what steps he proposes to take.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThere are no separate waiting lists for cataract cases10W but the average waiting time for patients in the Dorking area needing ophthalmic surgery is 10–12 months for non-urgent cases. For urgent cases the waiting time is much shorter and depends on the urgency of the particular case.
An improvement in the ophthalmo-logical service in this area can be expected when a new department is opened at Sutton General Hospital in the new year.