HC Deb 18 July 1955 vol 544 cc20-1
35. Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Minister of Health when it is expected that the new hospital at Greaves Hall will commence to take patients; what is the number of beds which will be reserved for the Liverpool region; and how many of those beds will be for low grade mentally defective children.

Mr. Iain Macleod

In December, 1956. This first stage of the new hospital which will provide 220 beds, of which 100 will be for low grade mentally defective children, will increase the combined resources of the Liverpool and Manchester regions and admissions will be determined by urgency of need, no specific number of beds being reserved for either region.

Mr. Pannell

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him to take into account that in Liverpool there are 96 low-grade mental defectives awaiting accommodation compared with 62 in January, 1951? In view of the growing seriousness of this problem, will he consider special steps for dealing with it in Liverpool?

Mr. MacLeod

I am always ready to consider any proposal, and indeed there is one before us now from the city authority which may be of help in solving this problem. Regarding the wider problem in the Liverpool region referred to by my hon. Friend, in addition to Graves Hall there are the new hospital buildings at Newchurch in the Liverpool region, and Cranwich in the Manchester region, providing another 400 beds for this type of case.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Without denying that there is a problem in the Liverpool region, may I take it that the Minister will not overlook the difficulties experienced in the Manchester region?

Mr. Macleod

No, indeed I will not. These two regions are considered together. The Liverpool and Mancheser regions pool their waiting lists and, to some extent, the provision is planned with that in mind.