HC Deb 18 April 1991 vol 189 cc254-5W
Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many operational(a) men and (b) women firefighters are employed in each fire authority or fire and civil defence authority in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The information, as at 31 December 1990, is as follows:

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The latest centrally available information on staffed beds in Oban hospitals for the last four years is set out in the attached table. Current available staffed beds are as at year ending 31 December 1990.

The new Oban hospital will provide 138 beds. The board's present intention is to designate 70 for acute, 62 elderly and elderly with mental disability and six for obstetrics. In addition a full range of support services will be available including out-patients, accident and emer-gency, operating facilities and an X-ray unit.

Hospital activity statistics for Oban hospitals—average available staffed beds; by specialty group: years ending 31 March 1987 to 1990 and year ending 31 December 19901
Year ending 31 March Year ending 31 December1
Specialty 1987 1988 1989 1990 1990
All specialties 163 162 163 162 159
Medical specialties 41 41 41 41 41
Surgical specialties 33 33 33 33 33
Maternity specialties 10 9 10 9 6
Geriatric specialties 62 62 62 62 62
Other specialties 17 17 17 17 17
1 Provisional.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made regarding the building of the new Oban hospital; what was the closing date for tenders; which bid was successful; when building will begin; when completion is expected; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Tenders have been issued by Strathclyde regional council in respect of the enabling work to access the new Oban hospital site. This work will involve the realignment of the existing trunk road and creation of spur road to give site access, and is programmed to start in June this year.

Tenders for the main hospital building contract are planned for issue before the end of April. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in November, and on this timetable the hospital will be completed towards the end of 1994.