§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware from details sent to his Department that a patient seeking an appointment on 22nd November at the Ipswich and East Suffolk Hospital for examination of a wrist and arm for possible bone damage or rheumatism has to wait until 11th March, 1970, for an appointment; whether he is satisfied that such delays are unavoidable; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyThe waiting time for non-urgent out-patient appointments470W is longer than I would wish. Patients can be seen earlier if their general practitioner indicates urgency. The East Anglian Regional Hospital Board has already arranged for the appointment of a second orthopaedic registrar and expects further improvement in the position when the orthopaedic department is expanded next autumn.
§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that waiting time for patients in the ear, nose and throat speciality is four months at the West Suffolk General Hospital and six months in Sudbury as a result of inadequate consultant cover; and whether he will take appropriate steps with the regional hospital board to remedy the situation.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyI assume the hon. Member is referring to waiting time for an appointment with a consultant. The feasibility of creating an E.N.T. consultant post between the Ipswich and West Suffolk Groups is being closely examined by the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board. In the long-term the Board intends to improve its E.N.T. service by reorganising it in comprehensive units on an area basis.