HC Deb 29 March 1965 vol 709 c1192
11. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Minister of Health whether he will establish a day hospital in the Clacton area to deal with geriatric cases.

Mr. Loughlin

; Since there is no geriatric hospital department in Clacton, day hospital provision there would not be appropriate.

Mr. Ridsdale

As such a successful geriatric day hospital has been established in the Cambridge area, could the Parliamentary Secretary say why it is not possible to establish a geriatric day hospital in the Clacton area, where the number of elderly is much greater?

Mr. Loughlin

I am advised that it would not be in the best interests of the patients to have a day hospital divorced from a hospital geriatric department with consultant cover. There is reasonable provision in Clacton for the care of aged people. We consider that at this stage, pending the building of the new hospital, it would not be in the best interests of the patients.

Mr. Ridsdale

Will the Parliamentary Secretary keep an open mind on this problem?

Mr. Loughlin

My mind is always open.