§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what diagnostic procedures are capable of being carried out by the ophthalmic department of Bury general hospital; to which other hospitals' diagnostic cases are referred; and what was the cost to the Bury area health authority of such referrals for each of the last five years;
(2) how many patients were treated at the ophthalmic department of Bury general hospital in each of the last five years; how many of these required inpatient treatment; and to which hospital and at what cost to the Bury health authority these patients were admitted.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThis information is not held centrally, and I suggest the hon. Member approaches Bury health authority direct for the figures.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the recommended provisions for a modem ophthalmic department; if he is satisfied that Bury general hospital meets these requirements in terms of diagnostic services, out-patient accommodation, medical staff accommodation, examining rooms and medical beds for inpatient care; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe view of the Faculty of Ophthalmology, which is reflected in guidance to health authorities, is that every health district should normally have out-patient facilities for ophthalmological treatment. Not every district necessarily requires inpatient treatment facilities, which should be provided on a basis of six beds per 100,000 population as far as is possible in units with a minimum of 25 beds or a throughput of 450 patients in48W a year. The development of ophthalmic services and the provision of facilities for ophthalmology are matters for the regional and district health authorities in the light of the needs of the commmunity, the resources available, and guidance available from the professions and the Department.