Written question asked by Anthony D Wright (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 September 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many old age pensioners in the Great Yarmouth constituency have benefited from the introduction of free eye tests. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Anthony D. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many old age pensioners in the Great Yarmouth constituency have benefited from the introduction of free eye tests. [186707] Dr. Ladyman: Figures for the number of sight tests by constituency or by the number of old age pensioners are not collected centrally. The total number of national health service sight tests paid for patients aged 60 and over in Great Yarmouth Primary Care Trust (PCT) for the year 2003-04 was 13,720. 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. Sight tests cannot 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.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 424 c1075W; 186707
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Fees and charges Exemptions Eyesight Great Yarmouth Pensioners Older people Testing
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk