§ 52. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement concerning our casualty services and in particular, whether any improvement can be made on the provision of buildings at Newcastle General Hospital.
§ Mr. TurtonAlthough there is room for further improvement here as in other hospital services, the casualty services have been widely improved in recent years by re-organisation, additional staffing, and adaptation or new building. Special steps have also been taken to deal with major accidents. With regard to the second part of the question, work on the casualty department at Newcastle General Hospital is included in the regional hospital board's programme for 1958–59.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs the Minister aware that there are very important articles in the medical Press on the subject of our casualty service and about its urgent needs? Secondly, does his reference to the Newcastle provision mean anything more than the adaptation of an existing tin hut? That really is not good enough.
§ Mr. TurtonWith regard to the first part of the supplementary question, I have read the article in the Medical World. It under-estimates the improvements that have taken place in recent years. With regard to the second part, I 1068 have visited the casualty Department in Newcastle. Included in the programme for 1958–59 is a scheme of improvements costing about £15,000, of which two-thirds will be spent in that year.