§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she has received from the regional health authority on (i) a unified ophthalmology centre in Newcastle upon Tyne and (ii) a cataract centre in the Northern region; on what date her Department asked for the advice of the regional health authority on these proposals; and when she proposes to announce her decision.
§ Dr. MawhinneyIn January 1992, the national health service management executive asked Northern regional health authority to make recommendations to my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State concerning the siting of a unified ophthalmology service in Newcastle. The recommendation is for unification of services at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering the recommendation and will announce her decision shortly. Advice was not sought from Northern regional health authority on provision of a cataract centre. The regional health authority was asked to take its siting into consideration when making its ophthalmology recommendation.