§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many wigs were provided through the National Health Service in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. MoyleThere are no central records, but the number of National Health Service wigs ordered annually by hospitals in England and Wales is estimated to be in the region of 30,000.
§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is 111W satisfied with the present procedure for obtaining wigs through the National Health Service and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleYes, on current information available, but I shall gladly look into any particular difficulty if my hon. Friend will let me have details.
§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the principal companies producing wigs that are provided for National Health Service patients.
§ Mr. MoyleThere are 98 firms under contract for the supply of National Health Service wigs and 35 of these are manufacturers. I shall write to my hon. Friend giving further details.
§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost of wigs provided through the National Health Service.
§ Mr. MoyleIt is not the practice to disclose prices for articles purchased under Government contracts.
§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time between a doctor's deciding a wig is needed for medical reasons and the wig's being provided.
§ Mr. MoyleHospital consultants decide whether a wig is needed on medical grounds and, on their prescription, wigs are ordered at a large number of hospitals from many different suppliers. First-issue wigs and children's wigs are given priority and are normally supplied within four to six weeks from the date of order. Replacement wigs take from about eight to 12 weeks.