§ 45. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the nature and extent of the geriatric services in the County of Fife; and whether he will consider the extension of such services in the next financial year.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneSuitable provision for the care of the elderly sick involves the joint efforts of all branches of the health and welfare services, and a full account of the position in Fife is not possible within the limits of Question Time. There are at present 87 hospital beds in Fife specifically set aside for aged and 756 chronic patients, including 13 beds in Methilhaven Home used by arrangement with the County Council. In addition to its general programme for the improvement of the hospital service in Fife, the regional hospital board is at present considering possible short-term measures to ease the shortage of accommodation for the aged sick.
§ Mr. HamiltonWhilst thanking the Minister for the information he has given me by letter, may I ask why, in view of the success of the geriatric units in Dundee and Glasgow, the Minister is not taking more energetic action to extend that kind of unit?
§ Mr. BrowneI can assure the hon. Member that we are taking what action we can. As I think he knows, it would be fair to say that this figure of 87 hospital beds is not the only figure. There are 350 available for old people in local authority homes and 107 in voluntary homes.