§ 2. Mr. Turner-Samuelsasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances of hardship endured by patients at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital known as the City General Hospital, owing to the lack of a covered space between the operating theatre and the hutted wards of the hospital: if he is aware that the accommodation at the hospital is in 1547 adequate; and what steps he proposes to take, and when, to remedy these defects.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware of the need for improvements here, but the regional board has not been able to include them in its capital programme this year because of other more urgent demands. They will be undertaken as soon as resources are available.
§ Mr. Turner-SamuelsWill the Minister not agree that this is a rather serious situation? The Chairman, referring to the matter as recently as 3rd July, said, with regard to the absence of this covered space:
In bad weather in winter time this journey is a hardship which no patient should be permitted to undertake.Is the Minister also aware that the professional and nursing staffs as well as the management committee of this hospital are doing outstanding service for the City of Gloucester? Does he not think he ought to act as quickly as possible to assist them the more effectively to do their work by removing this defect?
§ Mr. MacleodI am aware of those facts. The question of priorities is one for the hospital authorities, and the management committee, as I understand, has not put the scheme first in the priorities it has submitted to the regional board. If it is given the due priority the circumstances may warrant it will be expedited.