§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies he has made of the prevention of deafness of children; and what conclusions he has reached about the optimum waiting time between the diagnosis of ear, nose and throat disorders affecting deafness, and their treatment.
§ Mr. CrossmanMy Department at present sponsors no such studies. Waiting time is a matter for clinical judgment in the individual case and the research aspects of the question are a matter for the Medical Research Council.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek powers to direct regional hospital boards to restrict the use of ear, nose and throat facilities at National Health Service hospitals for private treatment until all urgent cases involving the danger of deafness have been dealt with.
§ Mr. CrossmanIn the guidance I have issued to hospital authorities I have drawn their attention to Section 1(6) of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, which provides that the authorisation of accommodation for use by private patients shall not prevent it being used for other patients needing it more urgently on medical grounds.
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§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a national inquiry into the incidence of deafness.
§ Mr. CrossmanI am sure that an inquiry into such vague terms of reference would serve no useful purpose.