§ 34. Mr. A. Jenkinsasked the Minister of Health the number of tubercular patients in Wales and Monmouthshire now waiting for admission to sanatoria; whether the number on the waiting list is on the increase; and whether steps are being taken to provide a sufficient number of beds fully to meet the needs?
§ Mr. ElliotOn 1st April last there were 258 patients awaiting admission to sanatoria in Wales and Monmouthshire. The number was 272 at the corresponding period of last year, and 357, 369 and 183 at the three intervening quarters respectively. As the hon. Member is aware, construction of additional hospitals to accommodate nearly 1,000 patients is in hand at Denbigh and Chepstow; the former hospital is approaching completion, and the latter is expected to be completed in September next.
§ Mr. JenkinsIs the Minister satisfied that in the future there will be ample accommodation for the whole of these cases?
§ Mr. ElliotThe accommodation should cover the present waiting list itself, although, of course, as the hon. Member knows, accommodation in North Wales is not always usable by patients in other parts of Wales.