§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many residents in Crosby aged over 60 years have benefited from the abolition of charges for eye tests; [160389]
(2) how many senior citizens in Crosby have access to free eye tests. [160534]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe information requested is shown in the following table.
General Ophthalmic Services: Number of sight tests paid for by Sefton Health Authority for the years ending 31 March 2000–03 Year ending Sight tests for aged 60 and over1 All sight tests 31 March 1999 — 42,210 31 March 2000 21,830 57,070 31 March 2001 24,320 58,850 31 March 2002 24,220 58,400 31 March 2003 26,140 55,730 1 From 1 April 1999, all patients aged 60 and over were included in the group eligible for NHS sight tests. From October 2002, primary care trusts took over the responsibility from health authorities. Sefton Health Authority became South Sefton PCT and Southport and Form by PCT. The data for the PCTs has been added to give 2003 data Source:
SBE515, Department of Health.