HC Deb 25 June 1956 vol 555 cc20-1
32. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals in England and Wales have been allowed to build increased accommodation for the elderly chronic sick; and if he will itemise the particular schemes of this nature for which he has granted permission to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)

Increased accommodation for the elderly chronic sick has been provided or approved at 202 hospitals, often by the adaptation or transfer of other accommodation. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of schemes for which approval has been given to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

Mr. Johnson

While thanking the hon. Lady for that answer, may I ask whether she can tell me now when the extensions of St. Luke's Hospital at Rugby are likely to be undertaken? If there is difficulty in building wings to existing accommodation, would the hon. Lady consider allowing hospitals to buy houses nearby? The old people would like that. They prefer to be in an integrated society rather than to be segregated in institutional buildings.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

If the hon. Member will put a Question on the Order Paper, I will give a detailed answer with regard to the hospital he mentioned. As for buying houses, there is the difficulty that many of the houses are of two or three floors, while for elderly people we have to provide the maximum accommodation on the ground floor.

Dr. Summerskill

As the demand for this kind of accommodation is greater than that for any other kind, would the hon. Lady and her right hon. Friend, when these Questions are asked, come to the Dispatch Box with as much detail as possible, because I think that all hon. Members are interested in the answer?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

indicated assent.

Following are the particulars of schemes: Schemes for which approval has been given to provide additional accommodation for the elderly sick in the Birmingham region. Bromyard Hospital. Geriatric unit of 35 beds. Andressey Hospital, Burton-on-Trent. Geriatric unit of 46 beds. In addition the Regional Board have, since 1950, provided 240 chronic sick beds by the re-allocation of accommodation used for other purposes at the following hospitals:—Bucknall Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent; Greenfields Hospital, Oswestry; Cheadle Hospital Annexe; Newcastle-under-Lyme Isolation Hospital; White Lodge, Cannock; and Taylor Memorial Home of Rest, Erdington; and by the re-arrangement of accommodation at Morda House, Oswestry and Stone House, Bishop's Castle which are non-transferred local authority institutions partly used for hospital purposes.