§ 20. Mr. W. Edwardsasked the Minister of Health if he can now state what decision he has reached on the proposal of the North East Regional Hospital Board to close down the St. George-in-the-East Hospital by the end of July, 1956.
§ Mr. TurtonNo, Sir. The matter is still under consideration.
§ Mr. EdwardsI am sure the Minister will appreciate that, when it is being made public that this hospital is to be closed by 31st July, it naturally causes concern when, on 2nd July, the Minister says that he has reached no decision. Before the right hon. Gentleman reaches his decision, will he take special note of the contention of the regional board that there will be enough hospital services there if this hospital is closed down? Only last week, one of my constituents had to wait at the London Hospital from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. before seeing the doctor. If that is sufficient hospital services while the hospital is open, goodness knows what will happen if it is closed.
§ Mr. TurtonIn reply to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, I realise that the time is far too short to decide to close the hospital by the end of the month; and if a decision to close it is taken, it will not be made effective as early as that. As regards his second point, perhaps the hon. Member will write to me.