§ Mr. D. Jonesasked the Minister of Health the average length of waiting time for applicants for Medresco hearing aids, over the whole country; what is the average waiting time in the South-West region; and what active steps are being taken in the South-West region to reduce the lengthy waiting time.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe waiting time varies according to the patient's priority and to local circumstances and average figures are not calculable. In the South-West the Regional Hospital Board has recently opened centres at Gloucester, Bath and Taunton, and hopes shortly to strengthen the staff at Exeter and improve the accommodation at Plymouth.