§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost to the National Health Service of gastroscopes; and how many are available for use in Birmingham.
§ Dr. Owen,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th June 1976; Vol. 912, c. 803.], gave the following information:
A recent count of the number of gastroscopes available for use in Birmingham totalled 12. If one includes fibre optic endoscopes capable of full examination of the upper intestinal tract, that is oesophogastro-duodenoscopes, the total would exceed 40 instruments.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons in Birmingham are waiting for a gastroscopy examination at the latest date; and how this compares with the number 12 months ago.
§ Dr. Owen,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th June 1976; Vol. 912, c. 803.], gave the following information:
NUMBER OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR GASTROSCOPY EXAMINATION Hospital Current 12 months ago Selly Oak … 12 not available Good Hope … 7 NIL Queen Elizabeth … 5 not available General … 11 not available Dudley Road … 65 NIL The long list at Dudley Road Hospital is apparently due to a breakdown in the hospital's gastroscopy equipment, but this has now been repaired, and I hope that the waiting list situation will quickly improve.