HC Deb 09 May 1960 vol 623 cc17-8
16. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Minister of Health whether the plans for the rebuilding ofFulham Hospitalcontain provision for a maternity unit; and of what size.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The board of governors' proposals for the new hospital at Fulham include provision for a professorial obstetric unit which will include 50 beds, an isolation unit of 10 beds, a premature baby unit of 6 cots, an ant-natal clinic, laboratories and ancillary services.

Mr. Stewart

Will the Minister say whether this provision is to be in addition to that existing in the Fulham maternity home or will it replace it? Is it the intention to close the Fulham maternity home?

Mr. Walker-Smith

This will be in replacement of what is now at the Fulham Maternity Hospital.

Mr. Stewart

Is the Fulham Maternity Hospital to be closed?

Mr. Walker-Smith

When the whole of this accommodation is available there will be more obstetric accommodation than at present exists in the Fulham Maternity Hospital and the Charing Cross Hospital together.

17. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Minister of Health when the rebuilding of Fulham Hospital will begin.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Planning is in progress, but it is too early to be able to say when building work will begin.

Mr. Stewart

Is the Minister aware that, according to my information, the plans for the new building have not yet been put before the governors of the hospital? Is he aware that in Fulham we have been very concerned over the fact that every time this subject is discussed the number of beds proposed for the new hospital seems to become smaller? We are anxious, therefore, to know exactly what is the plan before the number shrinks any more.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Plans in the technical sense do not exist as yet because the schedules of accommodation have not yet been fixed. We cannot have plans until we have the schedules of accommodation. I am convinced that in this matter of hospital building the right thing is to get a clear definition of the schedules of accommodation and adhere to it. That is the only way to speed up the procedure of hospital building.