§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to tackle waiting lists in(a) Wales and (b) North East Wales for cataract operations; and if he will make a statement.[44601]
§ Mr. Win Griffiths(a) An additional £20 million will be spent in 1998–99 on reducing inpatient and day case waiting lists to below the level which the Government inherited. This supports the Government's commitment to reduce waiting lists over the lifetime of this Parliament by 100,000.
(b) £4.124 million of this is available to North Wales Health Authority to reduce waiting lists in its area. The Authority is also considering establishing an ophthalmic treatment centre to provide additional capacity to treat patients with cataracts.