§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many NHS sight tests have been performed in each health board area in Scotland in each year since 1987.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 28 October 19941]: The number of national health service sight tests paid for by health boards in each of the financial years since 1987 is shown in the table.
1115W
Number of NHS sight tests1 in Scotland by Health Board area Health Board 1987–88 1988–89 21989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 Western Isles 4,320 4,467 2,043 1,773 2,073 2,287 2,309 Scotland Total 1,098,145 1,168,610 475,479 432,885 496,598 538,683 579,671 1One person may have more than one sight test in the period. 2Since 1 April 1989 free NHS sight tests have only been available to children, full time students under 19, those in receipt of Income Support or Family Credit, the registered blind or partially sighted, complex lens users, those who hold an AG2 exemption certificate from the Health Benefits Division, diagnosed diabetic or glaucoma sufferers, and close relatives aged 40 or over of glaucoma sufferers.