§ Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health what decision has been reached in respect to the consideration given as to whether or not patients in mental hospitals are authorised to write to Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe question whether the present law should be amended is being considered in connection with the proposed new mental health legislation.
§ Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made to improve the situation with regard to censorship of correspondence of patients in mental hospitals.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithFollowing the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Law relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency, a circular letter was sent on 30th July, 1957, to Super-
Specialty Waiting time Under 4 months Between 4 and 12 months Over 12 months General Surgery … … 3,853 1,997 1,789 General Medicine … … 259 18 3 Tonsils and Adenoids (children) … … 2,179 423 84 E.N.T. (others) … … 1,146 557 187 Gynaecology … … 2,478 1,475 385 Ophthalmology … … 709 184 60 Orthopaedics … … 1,060 727 1,073 Chronic Sick … … 227 110 76 Paediatrics … … 53 7 — Neurosurgery … … 198 225 101 Urology … … 143 120 204 Thoracic Surgery (not Tuberculosis) … 122 34 242 Plastic Surgery … … 247 215 634 Others (including Venereal Disease, Dermatology, Dentistry, Cardio Vascular Disease, Psychiatry and Radiotherapy) … … 161 9 — TOTAL … … 12,835 6,101 4,838 I regret that no analysis by age groups is available.