§ 15. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious inconvenience that will result if, as proposed by the regional hospital board, the Maternity Wing at the Royal Northern Hospital is closed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am considering the implications of this proposal.
§ Mr. FletcherI do not know what that means, but I hope that, in saying that he is considering the implications of the proposal, the Minister will tell us that he has not made up his mind, because it would—does he not realise—be a very serious thing if people who would normally go to the maternity wing of the Royal Northern Hospital had to go—as I am told would be the case—as far away as Mile End for their confinements? There will be great hardship if this proposal is persisted in.
§ Mr. MacleodI have not, of course, made up my mind, which is what my Answer implied. I should not think that 1630 the hardship involved would be anything like that suggested by the hon. Gentleman. He knows that this all arose because of an outbreak of infection in the unit, which had to be closed, so that people had to travel rather farther than usual because there was an emergency. The London Hospital and the Whittington Hospital are both within a mile or so of this hospital.
§ Dr. SummerskillIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Whittington Hospital, which he has mentioned, and the City of London Hospital, mean a very long journey for expectant mothers? The right hon. Gentleman must consider that it is a special class of patient which attends these hospitals. When he tells the House that he is considering the implications, will he say precisely what he means? The Royal Northern Hospital is situated in a most densely populated area, and I should like to know how many women were delivered in this wing in the last year, and just what are the implications which the Minister has in mind.
§ Mr. MacleodThe implications which I have in mind are whether this unit, which is by no means a satisfactory one from the planning point of view, can or cannot be used better for another purpose under the National Health Service. As far as the distances of the hospitals are concerned, they are only a little more than a mile away from the Royal Northern Hospital. As far as the actual number of deliveries are concerned, perhaps the right hon. Lady will put down a Question.
§ Mr. FletcherIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply and of the great hardship which is already being caused by the uncertainty in this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.