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Written question asked by Paul Farrelly (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many senior citizens in North Staffordshire have received (a) free eye tests and (b) help towards glasses and contact lenses since 1997. - Inc table and fact that the information is not available in the format requested and also information on glasses and contact lenses is not collected centrally.
Answer

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior citizens in North Staffordshire have received (a) free eye tests and (b) help towards glasses and contact lenses since 1997. [198568] Dr. Ladyman: The information is not available in the format requested. The table shows the number of national health service sight tests for patients aged 60 and over paid for by the former North Staffordshire health authority (HA), for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2003 and for the four primary care trusts (PCTs) covering the old North Staffordshire HA for the year ending 31 March 2004. General Ophthalmic services: number of sight tests paid for, for patients aged 60 and over for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2004 (thousand) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. HA name/PCT name Number of sight tests for aged 60 and over 1999-2000 North Staffordshire HA 32.3 2000-01 North Staffordshire HA 36.4 2001-02 North Staffordshire HA 42.6 2002-03 North Staffordshire HA 49.1 2003-04 Newcastle-under-Lyme PCT 9.8 North Stoke PCT 16.9 South Stoke PCT 10.4 Staffordshire Moorlands PCT 6.9 Total -- 44.0 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Note: Eligibility for NHS sight tests was extended to patients aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. PCTs took over responsibilities from HAs in October 2002. Sight tests can not be equated to the numbers of patients. Although most people do not come back for a sight test within the year, some patients suffering from medical conditions are advised to have re- examinations sooner. Information on how many senior citizens received help towards glasses and contact lenses is not collected centrally.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
198568; 426 c1672-3W;426 c1675-6W
Session
2003-04
Subjects
Contact lenses Fees and charges Eligibility Exemptions Eyesight Pensioners Ophthalmic services Testing Staffordshire Spectacles
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk