§ 25. Mr. Cordleasked the Minister of Health in what way provision of accommodation, operating rooms, and toilets at the Boscombe General Hospital falls short of the standard laid down by his Department.
§ Mr. LoughlinInevitably conditions at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Boscombe, parts of which were built over 80 years ago and the main site of which is restricted, do not comply in all respects with the standards laid down for new hospital buildings. Substantial works of modernisation or improvement have recently been completed or are in progress.
§ Mr. CordleWill the Minister bear in mind the increasing population in the Bournemouth area? Is he aware that old buildings and out-of-date equipment and appliances make for inefficiency and unnecessary delay, thus causing unnecessary suffering?
§ Mr. LoughlinWe certainly appreciate what the hon. Member says. In the long term, it is intended that the Royal Victoria Hospital should be replaced by a district general hospital. Although we have modernised and are modernising the existing hospital as far as possible, the only real solution is a district general hospital, and we will get that as soon as ever we can.