§ 30. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Health what plans he is making to improve the Royal Eye Hospital, St. George's Circus, S.E.1.
§ Mr. BraineThe regional board has no plans for further developments at this hospital.
§ Mr. LiptonWill the hon. Gentleman go along and have a look for himself at the primitive and, indeed, appalling conditions which prevail in this hospital? If ever a place could be called a slum, this is it. Will he go and have a look at the registry staff working in coal holes underneath the pavements, and have a look at the outpatients department in which outpatients are examined in full view of all other out-patients sitting on long benches in the out-patients department and have a look at the spiral stone staircase up and down which blind and half-blind elderly people have to grope? Is not the Minister really ashamed of himself that such slum conditions should be allowed to continue in a hospital like this in the heart of the Metropolis?
§ Mr. BraineIt is precisely because of the difficulties at the hospital that the board proposes that additional ophthalmic services shall be at district general hospitals. I am advised that it would be more convenient to patients if the existing ophthalmic units at district hospitals were maintained and improved rather than that we should have a new ophthalmic hospital in London. I must add that the description of the hospital given by the hon. Member cannot gloss over the fact that the hospital has done splendid work.
§ Mr. LiptonIn view of the completely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.