§ 3. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received concerning the inadequacy of facilities at the Dunfermline Maternity Hospital; and what steps he intends to take to improve the situation.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneOne, Sir. The regional hospital board is presently reviewing the maternity services in Fife in the light of the recommendations of the Committee on Maternity Services in Scotland.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Joint Undersecretary of State aware that the conditions in this hospital are really quite shocking and that people of all political persuasions in the area feel that the only remedy is to extend the facilities available? Would he give some indication whether provision for such extension will be made in the 1959–60 financial programme?
§ Mr. BrowneOn the first part of the supplementary question, I agree with the hon. Member to some extent. The regional hospital board is proposing to improve the toilet facilities and organisation generally, and it would like to consider if greater use could be made of the domiciliary services. The question of the extension of maternity services is one for the board to decide. In Scotland we must concentrate on areas like Glasgow where facilities are below average.