Written question asked by Graham Stringer (Labour) on Monday, 10 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 May 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 May 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many residents in Manchester, Blackley aged over 60 years have benefited from the abolition of charges for eye tests. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residents in Manchester, Blackley aged over 60 years have benefited from the abolition of charges for eye tests. [172886] Miss Melanie Johnson: Data for the number of sight tests by constituency or by the number of senior citizens is not collected centrally. In 2002-03, the total number of national health service sight tests paid for by the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority for patients aged 60 and over was 189,900. The total number eligible for a free sight test for those aged 60 and over was 493,100. Sight tests cannot be equated to the numbers of patients.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 172886; 421 c955W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Fees and charges Exemptions Eyesight Greater Manchester Pensioners Testing
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk