§ 50. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increasing growth of the town of Redditch, he will reconsider his decision not to provide maternity facilities within the borough; and if he will state the size to which the borough must grow before it will be allowed to have its own maternity facilities.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe decision is that of the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason to intervene; the size of the borough is not the only factor to be considered.
§ Dr. SummerskillAs there is a point of principle involved in this Question, will the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House what maternity services have been refused to this town?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithTo have a maternity hospital solely for Redditch would not justify more than a 10–12 bed unit, which would be quite uneconomical to run. As it is, between 1st July and 20th October, 92 Redditch mothers have had their confinements in Bromsgrove and three have gone to Evesham. There are additional beds at Bromsgrove which we would like to open if we have the staff. The major problem of a small unit at Redditch would be trying to staff it.