§ 52. Mr. Victor Yatesasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the difficulties which have arisen regarding the establishment of a new health centre in Birmingham; and, in view of the need as expressed in a petition to the Birmingham City Council in November, signed by nearly 2,000 people many of whom reside in the Newtown area of the Ladywood constituency, if he will take action to enable the development of this health centre to proceed without further delay.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonYes, Sir. I regret that some doctors have declared themselves unwilling to work with their colleagues in the area, but this is for them to decide. Health Centre provision is a matter for the local health authority and I hope that they will still find it possible to meet the wishes of local residents.
§ Mr. YatesIs my right hon. Friend aware that while there is an urgent need for a health centre in the part of my constituency which has been developed, there is apprehension that such a centre will be delayed in that part of the area which is in course of development? Can my right hon. Friend approach the health department and the doctors, or take some steps to bring the two together to discuss the matter further?
§ Mr. RobinsonI am in touch with all the parties in this matter and at this stage I will only say that in my view it would be most regrettable if this opportunity were lost to provide the well-equipped, well-housed and properly co-ordinated general medical service which a health centre can make possible.
§ Dr. Wyndham DaviesWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be in the best interests of the ordinary patient in Birmingham and elsewhere if the facilities required by doctors to practise good National Health Service medicine were made available?
§ Mr. RobinsonYes, Sir, and the five doctors who have refused to work with the three who were appointed to vacancies have not made a very helpful contribution towards that end.