HC Deb 19 July 1965 vol 716 cc1116-7
29. Dr. David Kerr

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has received from the South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board to amend the catchment area of Springfield Hospital, Tooting.

Mr. Loughlin

I am informed that the South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board hopes that in the long term Springfield Hospital will serve a local catchment area in the region.

Dr. Kerr

In thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I particularly emphasise to him, and ask whether he is aware of, the great distance which the doctors of Springfield Hospital are forced to travel in their attempts to provide the essential domiciliary service in their existing catchment area? Will he do everything possible as a matter of urgency to bring the catchment area of this hospital much closer to its existing site?

Mr. Loughlin

The hospital board is trying to solve this problem. Meanwhile, it is trying to make arrangements with other hospital boards, and that is as far as we can go at this stage.