HC Deb 21 July 1949 vol 467 cc1530-1
6. Mr. Donner

asked the Minister of Health when building on the new Basingstoke hospital is likely to begin.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)

I understand that the Regional Hospital Board is considering the provision of a new hospital in Basingstoke, but progress must depend on its urgency compared with other calls on the available money and building resources.

Mr. Donner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some £24,000 was voluntarily subscribed in this town for a new hospital, and that there is deep dismay that apparently this money is now absorbed in a general pool, with little prospect of a new hospital.

Mr. Bevan

They would not have been able to build much of a hospital for £24,000, or maintain it after it was built. Money has to be found, and had to be found before the Act, for the maintenance of voluntary hospitals.

7. Mr. Donner

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that patients in Basingstoke must now, however ill, go to Winchester and back in order to be X-rayed; and whether he will therefore replace the obsolete X-ray equipment in Basingstoke.

Mr. Bevan

I understand that a new X-ray set will be delivered to the Basingstoke hospital shortly.

Mr. Donner

While thanking the Minister for that help, may I ask whether he is aware that meanwhile patients who have to travel the whole way to Winchester can only do so if they consult a consultant; and does he not agree that that state of affairs puts the doctors into an invidious position?

Mr. Bevan

No, I do not think so. It does not seem to me, from the consumption of X-ray film in this country at the present time, that there is any difficulty in anybody getting an X-ray.

8. Mr. Donner

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Basingstoke hospital service is now responsible to Winchester Group, which is responsible to the region, which in turn is responsible to the South-Western Board; that expenses of operation have been increased by this system as well as by the appointment of officials and that delays due to this centralised control mar the efficiency of the service; and whether he will simplify control.

Mr. Bevan

If the hon. Member will send me evidence of delays and increased expense I will investigate them, but I am not prepared to consider unsubstantiated statements.

Mr. Donner

I will certainly send the right hon. Gentleman evidence. Is he aware that the chairman of the hospital committee has resigned, and that the general view in Basingstoke is that the town is very much worse off since the Health Service was begun than it ever was before?

Mr. Bevan

I doubt very much whether that is the general view in Basingstoke. At any rate, there are between 10,000 and 11,000 voluntary workers in the hospital system, and this is the first resignation we have had.

Mr. Donner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he visits Basingstoke he will be able to confirm that what I have told him is true?

Mr. Bevan

I may even consider addressing a meeting in Basingstoke to find out what they think about it.