§ 4. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Health if he will now give priority to the need for a large modern orthopædic centre at the North Staffordshire Infirmary, and health centres in the city of Stoke-on-Trent; what plans have been prepared; and when it is expected that the services will be available for the increasing needs of the people.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI understand that plans are being prepared for the replacement of the present orthopædic outpatient department at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, and I will consider the question of priorities in the light of the regional hospital board's recommendations. I have agreed the need for one health centre and revised plans are being prepared by the local health authority, but it is not possible to say when the centre will be completed.
§ Mr. SmithIs the Minister aware that the accommodation is disgraceful, and that miners, who suffer more than any other section of the community, have been attending under these conditions for years? In view of the fact that plans are now being prepared, will he give instructions that they should be given super-priority?
§ Mr. Macleod,I am aware of the need, but I certainly would not instruct the regional hospital board to put one scheme in front of the many others which there are. I will, however, study the question of priorities when it puts the list of recommendations to me.
§ 5. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the good work being carried out at the City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent; and when the hospital is to be extended, modernised, and provided with more equipment and staff.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodYes, Sir. Extensive improvements have been carried out since the appointed day and I understand that for the present no further improvement is envisaged. The equipment is adequate, and every possible effort is being made to recruit nursing staff up to requirements.
§ 6. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Health what action has been taken to carry out the promises made by his Department about the North Stafford shire Infirmary; when the hospital is to be extended to meet the growing needs of the area it serves; when the amount of food served to staff and patients is to be improved and increased; when the payment of the staff is to be brought up to national agreed rates; and how far the needs of this hospital were considered when pages 8, 9 and 10 of Command Paper No. 8933 were prepared.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodVarious plans for improvement at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary are being considered by the hospital management committee and the regional hospital board with whom, in the first instance, the responsibility for taking measures to meet local needs rests, but it is not possible to predict when these plans will be carried out. I am unaware of any complaints about the amount of food served or about the rates of payment to the staff, but if the hon. Member has any particular instances in mind, I will look into them. The answer to the last part of the Question is that all relevant needs were then considered.
§ Mr. SmithWill the Minister take particular note of this concrete example which I will give him of the need for special attention to be given to the problem? I have in my hand a letter from the North Staffordshire miners, who are complaining of the long period of waiting time when they have to see specialists for special purposes. Is it not most unfair that miners, who are rendering great service to the community, should be placed in this position?
§ Mr. MacleodI am always prepared to look at any cases. If the hon. Gentleman likes to send me the details of that case I will look at it.
11. Dr. Stressasked the Minister of Health how many beds are available in North Staffordshire for the treatment of orthopædic cases; and how many of these were unoccupied in the North Stafford shire Royal Infirmary and in the Orthopædic Hospital in Biddulph at the latest available date.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThree hundred and nineteen. On 13th May, 1954, one bed was unoccupied at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary and 29 at the Biddulph Orthopædic Hospital.
§ Dr. StrossDoes not the Minister agree that it might be possible to make better use of the beds available in the Orthopædic Hospital at Biddulph in order to ease the pressure upon the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, bearing in mind that the public are appreciative of the skill of the consultant and nursing staff there but that the amenities are really deplorable?
§ Mr. MacleodI take note of what the hon. Member says in the latter part of his supplementary question. With regard to the first part, I would say that there is a remarkable discrepancy between the waiting lists of the two hospitals. There is a very substantial waiting list for the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary but I am told that there is no waiting list at all for the Biddulph Orthopædic Hospital. In view of that, we certainly might see whether something can be done on the lines suggested by the hon. Gentleman in his supplementary question.
§ 12. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health what appointment systems exist at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary for all branches of out-patient work; and if he will give an assurance that any assistance which may be needed to improve amenities for patients and staff will be afforded by his Department.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIn all departments except the eye department patients are given appointments by the registration officer. I am prepared to consider any proposals which are submitted to me for the improvement of amenities.
§ Dr. StrossIf the Minister receives a request from the hospital management committee in the usual way for assistance for the purpose of establishing an appointments system in the ophthalmic department, will he give what help he can, for patients have to wait a long time, and that is obviously unnecessary?