§ 23. Mrs. Hartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Western Regional Hospital Board is yet able to announce a date for the establishment of a general practitioner maternity unit at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride.
§ Mr. MaclayThe Western Regional Hospital Board is not able at present to say when this unit will be established. Meanwhile, East Kilbride will continue to be served by the maternity units at Hamilton and Bellshill.
§ Mrs. HartIs the Secretary of State aware, and if so will he communicate his awareness to the Western Regional Hospital Board, that the distances which at present have to be travelled to these hospitals are considerable? Is he further aware that there is an utterly absurd situation here, in which we have a new town with a growing population, in which a large number of births are first births and in which mothers are more widely separated from their families and mothers-in-law—people who can normally be of assistance in home confinements—than is usual? Is he aware that here is a matter—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—of very great importance to many of my constituents, on which very little expenditure is needed and where the building is available? Will not he press the urgency of this matter on the regional hospital board?
§ Mr. MaclayThis must primarily be a matter for the regional board. As the hon. Lady may know, the board is about to have discussions about the matter with the district council.
§ Mrs. HartIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.