§ 39. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Health what provision he is making, pending the building of a general hospital in the new town of Peterlee, for the extension of out-patients' treatment.
§ Mr. RobinsonI understand that the regional hospital board's view is that a district general hospital in Peterlee cannot be justified, but that it proposes to review the need for out-patient services if and when there are any changes in the facilities at Easington.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs my right hon. Friend aware that that is precisely the answer I had from his predecessor which I regarded as quite unsatisfactory? Having regard to the growth of population in the area and the increasing need for hospital accommodation, will my right hon. Friend, as his predecessor said that there was no hope of a hospital in Peter-lee for the next 20 years, do everything he possibly can to extend the clinic now in existence in Peterlee in order to provide further facilities?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am sorry that my right hon. Friend does not feel that my reply is any better than that of my predecessor. The explanation may be found in the fact that the planning of hospital services is a matter for the regional hospital board, and the regional hospital board is the same as it was before the General Election. I assure him that we are keeping Peterlee's needs in mind, and I shall be undertaking a general review of the Hospital Plan, but I would not like him to assume that this will necessarily lead to any change in the view which I have expressed.
§ Mr. PopplewellWill my right hon. Friend ensure that no further delay takes place in the review of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board's plans for development? Is he aware of the enormous lack of hospital beds in the area, arid does he realise that the regional hospital board has for years pressed for an authorisation from his Department to go ahead in order to make further facilities 898 available in the area, including Peter-lee? Will he ensure that there are improvements here?
§ Mr. RobinsonI assure my hon. Friend that it will be a very full and radical review, and, in the course of it, the needs of Newcastle and of the North-East will be taken into account.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn view of his remark about the regional hospital board and the possibility of further thought in this matter, will my right hon. Friend take immediate steps to get rid of the regional hospital board and appoint another one?
§ Mr. RobinsonI hope that my right hon. Friend and the House will not read into my remarks any criticism of the regional hospital board. I can only say that I shall pay regard, as I always do, to what my right hon. Friend has said.