HC Deb 08 February 1965 vol 706 cc7-9
27. Mr. Thorpe

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on his recent five-day tour of hospitals in the south-west region.

Mr. K. Robinson

My aim was to see as many different aspects of the Health Service in the South-West as was possible in so short a time. I met a number of family doctors in their own surgeries and heard some of their problems at first hand. I also saw much of the work of local health authorities. I visited eight hospitals of different types. I was impressed throughout by the quality of the services provided, and had the opportunity of full discussions with the authorities concerned about their difficulties and their future plans, including plans for those areas which I was unable to visit.

Mr. Thorpe

Although the right hon. Gentleman was not able to fit in a visit to the North Devon area, can he give an assurance that he is fully aware of the problems of that area, with a waiting list of 1,000 and up to 5½years' delay for surgery? Can he clearly refute the suggestion that he did not visit the area because it is an area that does not return a Labour Member of Parliament—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—as was quite clearly suggested in the Press by the local Labour candidate as being the explanation of the Minister's by-passing the area?

Mr. Robinson

I can certainly refute that suggestion. If the hon. Member looks at my itinerary, he will see that there cannot possibly be any substance in it. I am very well aware of the needs of North Devon and they are very much in my mind. I cannot say more at the moment.

Mr. Wilkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the people in the West Country very much appreciated the amount of attention he paid to the area during his visit, and his hard work? I should like to ask him two questions arising out of his visit. Was he impressed by the hospital authorities of Bristol about the urgent need for more geriatric beds in the city? Secondly, what was his reaction to the Industrial Therapy Organisation which he visited, and does he feel any inclination to encourage the spread of this type of unit throughout the country?

Mr. Robinson

I was most impressed by the work done by the Industrial Therapy Organisation, and I would hope that, where comparable conditions exist, its example might well be followed elsewhere. The hospital authorities in Bristol certainly left me in no doubt whatever of this need for more geriatric beds in the Bristol area.

Mr. Wood

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider visits to other parts of the country in order to see for himself the present situation? Is he aware that if he is worried about the narrowness of his Government majority, we will make suitable arrangements for his relief?

Mr. Robinson

I am glad of the right hon. Gentleman's offer of pairing arrangements. I may tell him that I already have a visit fixed for the Easter Recess, and one for later in the year.

Mr. Kershaw

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was very much regret that he could not find time to visit Stroud Hospital, which is the type of smaller hospital which many local people wish to preserve in the present organisation?

Mr. Robinson

I can only tell the hon. Gentleman that I, too, am sorry that I had not time to do that.