§ 14. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland is he is aware of the cost and inconvenience to patients who have to travel from all parts of Lanarkshire to interview specialists and consultants in Glasgow hospitals; and whether he will consider setting up centres in Lanarkshire where consultants and specialists may attend at certain hours on specific days to conduct interviews.
Commander GalbraithIt has always been the policy of the regional hospital board to develop specialist out-patient clinics at Lanarkshire hospitals so as to reduce the need for travelling to Glasgow hospitals. Much progress has been made, and general practitioners are kept fully informed of the facilities available at their local hospitals.
§ Mrs. MannIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, apart from facilities at the local hospitals, these are special facilities? Is he aware that in connection with the National Health Service we were promised earlier that these centres would be set up and that instead of 100 people having to travel into Glasgow one specialist might travel to a centre at Bellshill or Motherwell and interview great numbers of people?
Commander GalbraithThis is happening at Law Hospital, Stonehouse Hospital, Hairmyres Hospital, and at the Alexander Hospital, Coatbridge, where a new out-patient department is being built at which there will be a full consultant service.