§ 27. Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Health how many surgical beds were available in the Ashington hospital in the Wansbeck area of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board at the most convenient date in 1961; and what plans exist for a development of this service.
§ Miss PittForty-two. The ward block now being built will provide 19 more for general surgery and 18 for orthopaedic surgery.
§ Mr. OwenIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in 1948 for a population of 99,000 people there were 52 surgical beds in the hospital and that now today for a population of 150,000 there are 42? This is essentially a mining area where surgical beds are top priority. I appreciate the fact that the proposed extension is now on the plans. Will the Minister do all he can to expedite this as a very urgent need in this area?
§ Miss PittYes, the new surgical and orthopaedic beds form part of the four-storey block to be completed in March next year at a cost of £250,000.
§ 28. Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in the provision of a maternity unit for the Wansbeck hospital area of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Miss PittThe regional board has included a maternity unit in its plans for the next phase of development of Ashington Hospital.
§ Mr. OwenYes, but as I am informed that plan was included in the regional hospital board's submission in 1954. At the moment, taking the available facilities at the Mona Taylor Home and Beulah House, Blyth, over a period of 13 years, the additional facilities have been six beds. There is an urgent need again for some intensive development for this service in this area.
§ Mr. SpeakerDuring Questions hon. Members should be careful to couch their supplementary Questions in interrogatory form.