§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he issues to regional health authorities about adding cataract patients to the waiting list when it may be many months from diagnosis to preparedness for an operation for medical reasons.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyGuidance on the management of waiting lists, issued by the Royal College of Surgeons in July 1991, states that patients should only be placed on a waiting list when they are clinically ready to undergo surgery. This advice is reiterated in departmental guidance which was issued to all health authorities at the same time.