HC Deb 16 January 2002 vol 378 cc397-8W
Mrs. Dean

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many free eye tests were undertaken in Burton in each year since 1995. [24063]

Yvette Cooper

The table shows the number of national health service sight tests paid for in Staffordshire Family health service authority (FHSA) for 1995 and 1996 and in South Staffordshire health authority in the years 1997 to 2001. Figures for the number of sight tests in particular areas are not collected centrally.

We extended eligibility for NHS sight tests to everyone aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. There was an increase of 27,790 in sight tests for the year 2000 and a further 4,440 in the year 2001. It is fair to assume that the majority of these increases were due to newly eligible people aged 60 or over obtaining NHS sight test.

General ophthalmic services: Number of sight tests paid for in Staffordshire FHSA for the years ending 1995 and 1996; and South Staffordshire HA for the years ending 1997 to 2001
Total sight tests
1994–95 126,240
1995–96 125,530
1996–97 79,030
1997–98 83,940
1998–99 84,370
1999–2000 112,150
2000–01 116,590

Note:

Family health service authorities were re-organised into health authorities on 1 April 1996