HC Deb 27 April 1959 vol 604 cc895-6
45. Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Minister of Health what number of children's beds was provided by the conversion of part of the Iver Cottage Hospital in 1952; and in what years the 21 children who subsequently used them were admitted.

Mr. R. Thompson

Twelve beds were provided and patients were admitted each year from 1953 to 1957, inclusive.

Mr. Bell

Since the total of those was apparently 21 throughout all those years, does not my hon. Friend think it was a great pity that half this hospital was set aside for a use for which there was plainly no local requirement?

Mr. Thompson

It is always easy to judge backwards in these matters. I do not think the board could have expected to foresee at the start that the staffing position, which is really responsible, would deteriorate to the extent that it has.

46. Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated cost of adapting the Iver Cottage Hospital, Buckinghamshire, as a preliminary training school for nurses; how many nurses could then be accommodated; to what hospital they would be attached; and what transport arrangements for them are envisaged.

Mr. R. Thompson

I have not yet received the board's proposals, but I understand they have in mind a preliminary training school to serve the hospitals of the Windsor Group. Nurses would live there for the period of preliminary training, and no transport arrangements would be required.

Mr. Bell

Is it not a great pity that yet more money should be spent on adapting this building for a use for which, also, there is no local requirement for the future?

Mr. Thompson

We have not yet had the details of the proposals from the board as to exactly what it proposes to do, but I could not altogether accept the suggestion of my hon. Friend that there was no local requirement for further nurse training.