November 18, 1977

REDDITCH children are suffering pain and discomfort for more than two years because waiting lists for ear, nose and throat operations are out of control.

And in some cases, surgeons are turning children away because they do not know when they will be able to operate.

Details of the 'gross deficiencies' in ENT treatment within the Redditch and Bromsgrove areas were brought to light this week in a shock report to the area Health Authority.

It claimed waiting lists were out of control and called for an urgent solution to the problem.

Ear, nose and throat waiting lists for children have been steadily increasing for the last three years since the influx of young families into the town areas of Redditch and Bromsgrove.

Figures show that only a quarter of ENT patients in the area are being treated and health chiefs say it's now impossible even to estimate the waiting time.

The main problem is Bromsgrove and Redditch health district has no ENT services of its own and has to rely on sending its patients to Birmingham or Worcester.

But the controversial Woodrow site for a new district hospital, which would include some ENT facilities, could ease waiting list problems.