§ Mr. MilburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were (i) the average waiting times and (ii) the year end waiting list for(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient treatment in ophthalmology for each district health authority and for England in each year since 1985.
§ Mr. SackvilleInformation on waiting times for in-patient treatment in ophthalmology for each district health authority in England is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England". This has been published twice yearly since September 1987 and copies are available in the Library. Information on the number of people waiting for out-patient appointments is not available centrally.
§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average value of help received through NHS vouchers for glasses, by adults requiring new frames and lenses, in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe estimated value of the average adult voucher fully paid for by family health services authorities in 1992–93 was £31.901.
1The average value quoted is based on vouchers paid for by FHSAs in 1992–93, excluding those vouchers paid for in 1992–93 at 1991–92 values. It also excludes supplements in respect of prisms and tints, small frame supplements, and vouchers in respect of repairs to and replacements of optical appliances.
§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys her Department has carried out or commissioned on the amount of contribution which individuals make to supplement the help they receive through NHS vouchers for glasses; and what is the average amount of the customer contribution towards the cost of glasses which is made in addition to the value of the voucher, in each voucher band.
30W
§ Mr. SackvilleNone. The average amount of the customer contribution towards the cost of glasses which is made in addition to the value of the voucher band, in each voucher band is not available centrally.
§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount of financial help for glasses including lenses given through the voucher system in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe cost of national health service vouchers for glasses and lenses, including help with the cost of repairs, was £99.9 million in 1992–93.