Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 February 2000. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 February 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: o ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people over 65 have received free eye tests in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire since April 1999; and if he will make a statement. - Inc fact that figures not available centrally.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people over 65 have received free eye tests in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire since April 1999; and if he will make a statement. [110833] Mr. Denham: Eligibility for National Health Service sight tests was extended to all those aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. Figures for the numbers of over 60s who have received free eye tests in particular areas are not collected centrally. However, the increase in the total number of sight tests paid for by Shropshire Health Authority in the six months April to September 1999 was just under 11,000{1} . It is fair to assume that the majority of this increase was due to newly eligible people aged over 60 obtaining NHS sight tests. {1} There is a one-month lag in payments so this figure will increase. Source: Department of Health--General Ophthalmic Services Activity Statistics

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 345 c229-30W; 110833
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Eyesight Pensioners Ophthalmic services Testing Shropshire Shrewsbury Atcham
Contains statistics: Yes