HC Deb 27 November 1963 vol 685 cc263-4
17. Mr. J. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to enlarge the paraplegic unit at Edenhall Hospital, Midlothian.

Mr. Stodart

None, Sir, My right hon. Friend is aware of the need for some additional facilities for the treatment of paraplegic patients, but they should probably be provided at other hospitals than Edenhall, and consideration is now being given to how this provision should be made.

Mr. Hill

Surely the fact that this is the only unit of its kind in Scotland warrants something being done about it? At the Edenhall Hospital there is a waiting list of patients of this type for beds. The staff are prepared to accept more patients but, unfortunately, they cannot do so. As this is the only place of its kind in Scotland and in view of the calls made upon it and the fact that there are people who cannot get beds there and must go about suffering, cannot more money be provided for the South Eastern Regional Hospital Board to give it the opportunity of extending the hospital?

Mr. Stodart

The South Eastern Regional Hospital Board has in mind to replace the Edenhall unit by a larger scheme at the Astley Ainslie Hospital, and this proposal will be taken into account in the review of the problem which is now in hand. I should add that, whereas in the past Edenhall was admirably sited because the majority of paraplegic cases came from those who worked in the coal mines, today the majority consist of those who suffer from road accidents and falls.

18. Mr. J. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the kitchen facilities at Eden hall Hospital, Midlothian.

Mr. Stodart

The regional hospital board has authorised the board of management to carry out certain improvements during the current financial year.

Mr. Hill

It is not improvements which are required. What is needed is a new kitchen. The kitchen was built in 1941, and it has remained exactly the same ever since. There have been complaints about bad food being served to patients. Here we have the kitchen of a fairly large hospital which is still using the equipment put there in 1941. Is it not time something was done about about it?

Mr. Stodart

In the longer term, the regional hospital board intends to replace the kitchen entirely. In the meantime, it is spending about £4,000 as a short-term measure on new equipment which it believes will have a considerable effect.

Mr. Willis

What does the hon. Gentleman mean by "in the longer term"?

Mr. Stodart

I should imagine that that is where the matter of priorities must come in.

Mr. Ross

The hon. Gentleman had better stick to agriculture.