HC Deb 24 February 1964 vol 690 cc4-5
6. Mr. Holland

asked the Minister of Health what consultations have taken place between the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, the Central Middlesex Hospital Management Committee, and general practitioners in Acton on the subject of the re-allocation of maternity beds in the area.

17. Mr. Barter

asked the Minister of Health what consultations have taken place with regard to the re-allocation of maternity beds in Ealing between the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, the Central Middlesex Hospital Management Committee, the local health authorities and the local medical council; and what views have been expressed by each body.

Mr. Barber

There were discussions in December between representatives of the regional board, of the hospital management committee and of the general practitioners in the area.

Mr. Holland

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Hospital Management Committee of the Central Middlesex Hospital, the general practitioners in the area and the Middlesex County Council Health Committee are all opposed to the scheme put forward by the regional hospital board? In view of this general opposition, will not he require the regional board to modify its scheme to meet at least some of the objections to it?

Mr. Barber

I do not think I can do that. I have discussed this matter with my hon. Friend, and I have since written to him. I have treated what he has said with great seriousness, but this is part of a general plan. After all, the Middlesex Local Medical Committee, which is representative of all general practitioners in the county, was asked to nominate general practitioners to attend the various area meetings. I should, perhaps, say that the regional hospital board appreciates that the Central Middlesex Hospital is close to the Acton boundary and is considering whether the small residential part of Acton close to the hospital can be served by it. But if there were to be any significant addition to the hospital's area, the trouble would be that it would upset the balance elsewhere.