HC Deb 05 July 1993 vol 228 cc1-2W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the total cost of general practitioner fund holding in 1991–92 to all parts of the national health service.

Number of NHS sight tests paid for, analysed by regional health authority
Thousands
Regional health authority 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–901 1990–911 1991–92 1992–93
Northern 592.1 600.0 627.6 698.0 740.4 336.8 275.6 314.7
Yorkshire 722.7 730.4 752.3 843.2 906.1 403.5 311.6 368.2
Trent 912.6 950.0 980.9 1,095.3 1,166.7 515.0 406.8 483.6
East Anglia 380.6 408.8 422.0 468.7 493.1 191.5 159.9 194.3
North West Thames 828.7 853.4 862.3 943.7 1,016.6 384.4 290.2 354.3

Manufacturers have been asked to increase the range of supplements and fortified foods available. The Health Education Authority has already begun to update its publications to include the new advice. Plans are under way to issue further public education materials this summer to raise women's awareness of the importance of taking folic acid when pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

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