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Dept of Health

Answer

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pensioners in the Dagenham constituency have had free eye tests since they were introduced. [196452] Dr. Ladyman: Figures for the number of sight tests by constituency, or pensioners are not collected centrally. However the Department does collect statistics on the number of sight tests paid for patients aged 60 and over. These data are shown in the table, which shows the number of national health service sight tests paid by Barking and Havering health authority (HA) for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2003 and the primary care trust (PCT), covering Barking and Dagenham for the year ending 31 March 2004. General ophthalmic services: number of sight tests paid by Barking and Havering HA for patients aged 60 and over for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2004 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. HA/PCT name Number of sight tests for people aged 60 and over (Thousand) 1999-2000 Barking and Havering [HOLDING ANSWER 24.9 2004]: 2000-01 Barking and Havering [HOLDING ANSWER 29.3 2004]: 2001-02 Barking and Havering [HOLDING ANSWER 33.1 2004]: 2002-03 Barking and Havering [HOLDING ANSWER 36.1 2004]: 2003-04 Barking and Dagenham PCT 9.3 Havering PCT 26.0 Total Barking and Havering [HOLDING ANSWER 35.3 2004]: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: 1. Eligibility for NHS sight tests was extended to patients aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. 2. PCTs took over responsibilities from HAs in October 2002. It should be noted that the number of sight tests cannot be equated to the numbers of patients. Most people do not come back for a sight test within the year, but some patients suffering from medical conditions are advised to have re-examinations sooner.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

196452; 426 c641-2W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Fees and charges Eyesight Pensioners Testing Barking and Dagenham

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk