§ Sir Julian Ridsdaleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the allocation of waiting list funds to the North East Thames regional health authority, and the North East Essex health authority; and what effect he estimates this allocation of funds will have on waiting lists.
§ Mr. NewtonNorth East Thames regional health authority has received £2.070 million from the waiting list fund in 1987–88. This will support some 31 separate projects, enabling hospitals in the region to treat 7,000 extra waiting list cases, and reduce waiting times for some first out-patient appointments. North East Essex district health authority will receive £39,000 from the region's allocation for a project to purchase a laser which will treat 150 extra ophthalmic out-patients and reduce in-patient waiting lists.