§ Mr. Priorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the ratio of 463W medical staff to population for the ophthalmic services in the Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Waveney districts compared with those of Cambridge, Peterborough, King's Lynn, Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich; and whether, in view of the fact that the waiting list for routine cataract surgery is over two years and for a routine out-patients' department appointment over a year, he will ask the regional health authority to reallocate beds for an ophthalmic wing under phase 1 of the new district hospital.
§ Mr. Deakins:The ratio of population to staff requested in the first part of the Question is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The allocation of beds to particular specialties is a matter for the regional and area health authorities to decide in the light of local circumstances and national guidance.
At present, cataract surgery for the population of Great Yarmouth and Waveney district is provided by the Norfolk and Norwich hospital and there are no plans to allocate beds for ophthalmic surgery in phase 1 of the Great Yarmouth district general hospital. I understand, however, that beds for ophthalmic surgery will be made available in phase 2 of this development.