§ Mr. Aitkenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting period for people in the Thanet area who need to see a consultant under the National Health Service; and if she will list the figures by type of consultancy.
§ Dr. OwenSuch information is not available routinely but it is estimated by the health authority that the current average waiting times for non-urgent consultant appointments in Thanet are:
General medicine … … 10 weeks Chest diseases … … 2 weeks Gynaecology … … 6 weeks Diabetic … … 1 week Ophthalmology … … 17 weeks Paediatrics … … 2 weeks Dermatology … … 8 weeks Physical medicine … … 10 weeks Urology … … 1 week Neurology … … 6 weeks Psychiatry … … 2 weeks General surgery … … 4 weeks Orthopaedics … … 20 weeks Dentistry … … 16 weeks ENT … … 19 weeks Orthodontics … … 1 week
§ Mr. Aitkenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what economies have been planned by her Department for the Thanet area; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenThere have been no specific proposals by the Department but the search for economy in the National Health Service is a continuing one and I am assured that the Kent Area Health Authority and South East Thames Regional Health Authority will bear it in mind 427W when planning services for the Canterbury Thanet Health District.