§ 21. Mr. LOGANasked the Minister of Pensions what Ministry hospitals have been closed in the past 12 months; and whether it is proposed to close further hospitals and make arrangements for pensioners to be treated in hospitals near their own homes on a capitation basis?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Major Tryon)Four hospitals, namely, Fern-bank, near London, Highbury Hospital, Birmingham, Blackrock Hospital, Dublin, and Kirkburton, an institution for mental cases, near Huddersfield, have been closed during the past 12 months. Another institution may be closed in the current year if alternative arrangements for the treatment of patients can satisfactorily be made. The policy of the Ministry is to make use of civil hospitals as far as possible consistently with the interest of the Ministry's patients, but there are certain types of disability, as, for example, epilepsy, mental disorder and neurasthenia, and certain types of surgical case, for which specialised arrangements or institutions are desirable in the interest of the patients.
§ Mr. HANNONIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the arrangements to receive pensioners from Highbury Hospital are quite satisfactory?
§ Major TRYONYes, Sir.