§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the average waiting time in the Wolverhampton Hospital Management Committee area for patients seeking vasectomy operations under the National Health Service; and how many patients are on the waiting list;
(2) what is the average waiting time in the Wolverhampton Hospital Management Committee area for those who seek vasectomy operations as private patients.
§ Mr. AlisonThere is at present no National Health Service patient waiting for this operation. Admission of private patients depends on individual arrangements between patient and surgeon.
§ Dr. Stuttafordasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time in the Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Hospital Management Committee area for vasectomy operations under the National Health Service; and what is the average time of waiting for private patients.
§ Mr. AlisonThe average waiting time for National Health Service patients is up to three months but varies somewhat between different consultants. Admission of private patients depends on individual arrangements made between patient and surgeon, but I understand that there is a minimum waiting time of about three weeks.
§ Dr. Stuttafordasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he now has the figures as to how many vasectomies were carried out within the National Health Service in hospitals in 1970.
§ Mr. AlisonI regret that this information is not yet available. I hope to receive it in about six to eight weeks and I will then write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time in Sunderland Hospital Management Committee Group for sterilisation by vasectomy operation 213W under the National Health Service; and what is the average time for private patients.
§ Mr. AlisonThere is normally no waiting time for this operation.