§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average delay for children under 18 years from West Cumberland waiting to have their tonsils removed; and what is the total number of such patients on the waiting list.
§ Mr. AlisonFifty-nine patients under 18 from West Cumberland await ton-sillectomy. They have been waiting for the following periods:
Up to 1 Month … … … 18 1–2 Months … … … 18 2–4 Months … … … 23
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the effective strength of specialists in ENT illnesses in the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board area; and what is the number of vacancies for such specialists.
§ Mr. AlisonThere are 17 consultants in post and three vacancies.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether private treatment, including surgery, for ENT illnesses, is available at the West Cumberland Hospital; and what was the total number of private patients thus treated there in 1970, 1971 and 1972.
§ Mr. AlisonSince 20th August 1971, when the present two consultants became responsible for the West Cumberland ENT service, no patients have received private treatment at West Cumberland Hospital as both consultants are whole-time.
Patients receiving private ENT treatment at West Cumberland:
248W
In-Patients Out-Patients 1970 … 7 (includes 5 children) 7 1971 … 2 (includes 1 child) 1 1972 … NIL NIL
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what circumstances have changed since 9th February 1971 when the Government stated that all new ENT patients under 18 years of age from West Cumberland could attend the West Cumberland Hospital.
§ Mr. AlisonCircumstances have not changed; all new ENT patients under 18 years of age can attend West Cumberland Hospital for consultation. Patients in this category requiring tonsillectomy are not admitted to West Cumberland Hospital for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member on 3rd April 1973.—[Vol. 854, c.54.]
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children under the age of 18 years have been privately treated for ENT illnesses in NHS hospitals in Cumberland, and in the regional board area as a whole in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. AlisonTen, three and nil were treated in Cumberland; figures for the regional board area are not readily available.