§ 36. Mr. J. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the time of waiting at the out-patient department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley.
§ Mr. MaclayI am not aware of any general difficulty; but if the hon. Member has a specific complaint I shall gladly look into it.
§ Mr. RobertsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have received complaints of patients having to wait four and five hours and even longer in the out-patient department? Is he aware that no responsibility attaches to the 423 staff of the hospital and that they require facilities at the hospital with which only he can deal? Will the right hon. Gentleman get on with the job of giving Paisley decent hospital facilities?
§ Mr. MaclayI should be very grateful if the hon. Member would send me the details of matters which cause him concern. The regional board has agreed in principle to provide more premises in order that additional clinics may be held.
§ Miss HerbisonSurely the right hon. Gentleman is not dependent upon my hon. Friend sending details of one or two cases of someone having to wait a long time? Is he aware that in quite a number of hospitals there is no appointment system and that waiting time is far too long and that he should be trying to do something about these matters?
§ Mr. MaclayThe hon. Lady must be aware that I have taken a great deal of trouble to try to get hospitals to institute the very system she is asking me about, and many hospitals have done so. I have only to receive details to follow up a particular case.