§ 33. Mr. D. Footasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution sent to him last January by the National Health Service Executive Council for the borough of Ipswich, expressing concern at the inadequacies of general hospital facilities in Ipswich, emphasising the urgency of the position and expressing the opinion that the proposed new Ipswich District Hospital should be commenced forthwith; and what action he proposes to take to deal with the matter, and to expedite the building of the new hospital.
§ Mr. BraineYes, Sir; the regional hospital board is in touch with the executive council on this matter.
§ Mr. FootIs the Minister aware that there is very great public concern both in Ipswich and in Suffolk generally regarding the shortage of acute beds, the long waiting list, the lack of geriatric facilities and the inferiority of general hospital equipment? In those circumstances, does he not agree that it is a matter of urgency to commence the building of the new hospital?
§ Mr. BraineThe regional hospital board is, of course, aware of all this and is making its dispositions in the region as a whole. The need to plan a new district general hospital does not make it possible for it to be commenced forthwith, but the building of additional geriatric accommodation and other improvements at the Heath Road Wing of the Ipswich and East Suffolk hospital is likely to start early in 1964. The board also expects to achieve a considerable improvement in operating facilities by the greater use of the facilities of some other hospitals in the area.
§ Mr. FootCan the hon. Gentleman give any indication when the building of the new hospital will begin?
§ Mr. BraineThe board told the executive council that it hopes that construction will start in 1969 and that acute beds will be brought as far forward as possible.