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Health Bill

I am grateful to the Minister for that very helpful reply. As a general comment, it makes sense to look for ways of relieving pressure on what are often overloaded ophthalmic departments in hospitals and, in that way, improving patients’ access to eye care. My information is that the Welsh schemes are working extremely well, but their success depended on their being open to all practices, with the price agreed nationally. In other words, the availability of services has not been dependent on local funding decisions. It is exactly those factors which have underpinned the success of similar schemes in Scotland. Time is against us and, in thanking the Minister for his reply, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.