§ 24. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Health his decision as to the future of the Kingston Victoria Hospital; and what steps he is taking to ensure that facilities for treatment of their patients in hospital continue to be available to general medical practitioners in this district.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)This hospital is to be used as a gynaecological unit. The Surbiton annexe hospital is to be converted to give alternative facilities to general practitioners.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Surbiton annexe is to be converted and what is to happen to the patients concerned during the interval before that conversion is completed?
§ Mr. BevanArrangements are being made for the other patients, and the Surbiton annexe will be furnished and re-furbished as soon as we are aware that the general practitioners are prepared to make use of it.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are 37 seriously ill patients in this hospital at 1105 the moment, that the regional board is making every effort to close it, and that no alternative exists at present?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Gentleman must take it for granted that whenever a hospital is changed from one speciality to another, arrangements are invariably made for the care of the patients.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterOn a point of order. In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has not dealt with the immediate situation and fate of the patients in this hospital at this time, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.