15 November 2004

Michael Howard Intervenes To Get Waiting Time For Eye Test Follow-Up Appointment Reduced From 12 To 3 Months

Michael Howard, Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe, has intervened in the case of Robert Shoebridge of Romney Marsh, Kent who had been asked by the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford to wait 12 months for a follow-up appointment after his visual field tests in the eye clinic.

Mr Shoebridge wrote to Mr Howard in October expressing concern that he was being asked to wait 12 months for an appointment instead of 6 months as was usually the case. Mr Shoebrige said: “I am fed up with hearing from our Government how they have improved our health service. As far as I am concerned this is clearly not the case.”

Following Mr Howard’s intervention, Mr Shoebrigde has been informed by East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust that his follow-up appointment will take place in January 2005 instead of October 2005. Mr Shoebridge has also received a full apology and explanation of the circumstances.

Mr Howard said:

“I was pleased to be able to help Mr Shoebridge with his appointment. As Mr Shoebridge pointed out, his sight is very important to him and such a delay could have had serious consequences for his vision.”