Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long has Winnie Thompson of Victoria gardens, Ballyhalbert, County Down, been on the waiting list at Musgrave hospital, Belfast for a hip replacement operation; and when this operation is expected to take place.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the Eastern health and social services board. However, I understand Mrs. Thompson's GP wrote to Musgrave park hospital on 23 April 1988 to make an appointment for her to be examined and assessed by an orthopaedic consultant. Because of the heavy demands on the orthopaedic service, the Eastern board has not yet been able to arrange such an appointment. It is therefore not possible at this stage to say whether a hip replacement operation would be appropriate in Mrs. Thompson's case and if so when it is likely to take place.