§ 30 Mr. Ronald Bellasked the Minister of Health (1) how many persons have been employed during the past year at Iver Cottage Hospital, Buckinghamshire; and for what duties;
(2) what is the present annual cost of maintaining, staffing, and heating the Iver Cottage Hospital, Iver, Buckinghamshire, including any sum paid on account of local rates;
(3) how many in-patients have been admitted to Iver Cottage Hospital in the last three years; and how many people have been treated there as out-patients in that period.
§ Mr. R. ThompsonIn the last three years there were 194 in-patients, 1,570 new out-patients, and 3,152 out-patient attendances. Five whole time and six part-time staff were employed for various periods during the past year in connection with out-patient clinics and the maintenance of the building. The cost of running the hospital during the last financial year was £3,552.
§ Mr. BellDoes not my hon. Friend think that this is a very substantial annual outlay for what is now a very small use? Should I be right in thinking that the number of in-patients in the last year or two has been nil and that the number of out-patients is averaging about two a week?
§ Mr. ThompsonIt is true that the admission of in-patients ceased at the end of June, 1957. There were more than 114 admissions in 1956 and 80 in 1957. The number of out-patients is declining.
§ Mr. BellDoes not my hon. Friend think that in these circumstances something should be done to put the hospital to better use?
§ Mr. ThompsonYes, Sir. The intention of the board is to close the hospital and to adapt the building for use as a 637 preliminary training school for nurses to serve the group. It is at present consulting local interests about the proposed closure.