§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many free sight tests were given to(a) pensioners, (b) children and (c) others in (i) West Sussex and (ii) England in each year since 1997. [134779]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe table shows the number of National Health Service sight tests paid for in West Sussex Health Authority for 1997–98 to 2002–03. Figures for the number of sight tests by age are not collected centrally. The table shows the number of sight test in the categories "children aged 0 to 15" and "patient aced 60 and over".
Prevalence of cigarette smoking amongst adults aged 16 and over, by minority ethnic group—England 1999 Cigarette smoking status (self reported) Black Caribbean Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Chinese Irish General population Men Current cigarette smoker 35 23 26 44 17 39 27 Ex-regular cigarette smoker 18 12 7 10 18 29 31 Never regular cigarette smoker 45 65 67 46 65 32 42 Women Current cigarette smoker 25 6 5 1 9 33 27 Ex-regular cigarette smoker 11 1 1 1 3 25 23 Never regular cigarette smoker 64 93 94 98 88 42 52 Source:
Department of Health report: 'Health Survey for England—The Health of Minority Ethnic Groups 99' (adapted from table 4.1).
Available from the internet at: http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/doh/survey99/hse99-t4-1.htm
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health where the smoking cessation co-ordinators in post at 31 March 2002 were based; and how many smoking cessation co-ordinators are in post. [133914]
534WEligibility to N HS sight tests was extended to those aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. There was an increase of 2.4 million sight tests between 1998–99 and 1999–2000 in England. It is fair to assume that the vast majority of this increase was due to newly eligible people aged 60 or over obtaining NHS sight tests.
However, some patients aged 60 and over will be eligible for sight tests for other reasons as well, for example, on income grounds. The classification for such patients will depend on the patient and the practitioner. The increase in the number of sight tests for those over 60 may therefore reflect an increasing awareness of the eligibility of over 60s.
General Ophthalmic Services: Number of sight tests paid for in West Sussex Health Authority and England for the year's 1997–98 to 2002–03 Thousands Year Sight tests for children 0 to 15 Sight tests for those aged 60 and over Sight tests for other categories Total number of sight tests West sussex 1997–98 34.0 - - 95.4 1998–99 39.1 - - 97.3 1999–2000 34.5 73.7 41.0 149.3 2000–01 36.5 77.4 40.5 154.4 2001–02 36.5 84.2 31.6 152.3 2002–03 30.7 89.5 34.8 155.0 England 1997–98 2,385.5 - - 6991.3 1998–99 2,458.9 - - 6992.3 1999–2000 2,425.7 3,301.4 3,672.3 9399.4 2000–01 2,404.0 3,753.3 3,409.8 9567.1 2001–02 2,374.9 4,013.0 3,419.5 9807.4 2002–03 2,284.4 4,135.7 3,242.0 9662.1 Note:
Data on elegibility category is derived from a 2 per cent. sample.