§ 56. Mr. Robert Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the regional hospital board has decided to discontinue factory visits by the mass miniature X-ray service in the Bolton area; what is the estimated saving of expenditure; and what representations local authorities and chief medical officers have made regarding this change of policy.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyFactory visits in the Bolton area are at present continuing and are provided by units based on Chorley and Manchester. The Regional Hospital Board's annual expenditure on mass miniature radiography services was reduced by approximately £18,000, as a result of a reorganisation of the services last year, which involved the closure of two units based on Bolton. Seven Local242W Authorities and One Local Medical Committee have made recent enquiries about the Board's future policy for these services, which are now under review.