HC Deb 29 July 1975 vol 896 cc426-7W
Mr. Aitken

asked 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. Owen

Such 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. Aitken

asked 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. Owen

There 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 when planning services for the Canterbury Thanet Health District.