§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of a housebound patient being taken to a hospital by ambulance for an eye examination.
§ Mr. John PattenWe are not able to identify ambulance costs for particular types of patient. The average cost of all return ambulance journeys to hospital is about £28.50, but this includes emergency cases and the cost of taking someone to and from a routine outpatient appointment is probably substantially less.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of a domiciliary visit by a hospital ophthalmologist or ophthalmic medical practitioner to examine the eyes of a housebound patient.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe standard fee for a domiciliary visit by a hospital doctor in any medical specialty is £24.15. Where an ophthalmologist completes a form BD8 (certificate of blindness) on the basis of a domiciliary visit, as part of the collaboration arrangements with the local authority, a combined fee of £32.15 is payable. There is no specific fee for a domiciliary visit by an ophthalmic medical practitioner. The standard sight testing fee if carried out under the general ophthalmic services is £8.60.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services who actually provides the spectacles available on loan to patients after a cataract operation.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeHealth authorities.