§ Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many consultant ophthalmologists there are in (a) England, (b) North West regional health authority and (c) central Manchester district; what is the current waiting list at the Manchester royal eye hospital; what is the current shortfall in (a) medical and (b) nursing staff at that hospital; and if he will now take steps to provide further medical staff to the hospital to seek to reduce this waiting list.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information held centrally is as follows:
(i) Consultant ophthalmologists, whole time equivalents, at 30 September 1986 England North Western Regional Health Authority Central Manchester Health Authority 382 30 6 (ii) Inpatient waiting list for Manchester Royal Eye Hospital at 31 December 1986: 1,917. Information is not held centrally on the waiting time of these patients or whether they are urgent or non-urgent cases. Information is not held centrally on medical or nursing manpower at the Manchester royal eye hospital. Numbers and appointments are matters for the authorities locally.
The hon. Member may wish to seek further information from the chairman of the central Manchester health authority, which is responsible for managing the Manchester royal eye hospital.