§ 15. Mr. Hubbardasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement on the steps being taken to provide a better hospital service in Fife.
Commander GalbraithYes, Sir. After intensive study the Regional Hospital Board have drawn up a programme for execution over the next eight years to expand the hospital service in Fife.
Re-arrangement of existing facilities will shortly release for general purposes 30 additional beds at Cameron Bridge, and effect some improvement in the rate of dealing with surgical work at Kirkcaldy. For the rest, there will have to be 236 building, which is planned to yield 150 additional beds by the end of 1955; another 100 beds the next year, and a new hospital of 350 beds at Cameron Bridge by the end of 1960.
My right hon. Friend has approved this programme in principle. But it calls for building operations costing almost £2 million, and whether it can proceed at the rate envisaged will depend upon the extent to which resources can be spared from other essential work.
§ Mr. HubbardWhile thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his expeditious action in this matter, which will be greatly appreciated by the large number of patients awaiting hospital beds, may I have his assurance that the amenities in these hospitals will be of a sufficiently high standard to attract medical and nursing staffs? Further, may I have his assurance that the proposed hospital units at Kirkcaldy will not delay the proposed hospital at Cameron Bridge?
Commander GalbraithThe hon. Gentleman may be fully assured on the first point, and the detailed information I have given him on the second point should, I think, assure him also on that.