HC Deb 31 May 1965 vol 713 cc1153-4
26. Mr. Rhodes

asked the Minister of Health what is the average waiting time for admission to the various departments of Walkergate Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, based on the average for the last two years.

Mr. Loughlin

Three months for ophthalmology; 10 weeks for ear, nose and throat surgery; three weeks for dermatology; less than one week for all other departments. Urgent cases are admitted without delay.

Mr. Rhodes

Is my hon. Friend aware that, according to the British Medical Association, in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Regional Hospital Board area, based on the Walkergate Hospital, there is an immediate and urgent shortage of at least 10 per cent. in the number of beds? Will he agree that he and his right hon. Friends inherited from the previous Government a grave shortage of hospital services in the Tyneside area? May the House assume that the years of callous neglect are now over?

Mr. Loughlin

Well—[Laughter.]—I am delighted to accept the sentiments expressed by my hon. Friend in the first part of his supplementary question and in the second part with which he concluded his remarks.

Mr. R. W. Elliott

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a very great deal has been done in Newcastle in the past 13 years in the development of its various hospitals? Would he confirm that which he suggested in his Answer, namely, that, following some disturbing reports in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in recent days, emergency cases are received within the regional hospital board area without any delay?

Mr. Loughlin

Urgent cases are admitted without delay within the area. Let me make it perfectly clear—I think that the laughter of hon. Members opposite slightly changed my reply to the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Rhodes)—that anything that I may have said did not in any way cast a reflection on the regional hospital board. There have been some difficulties. A consultant in ophthalmology died, I think, in July of last year, but there has been a new appointment and we are hoping that there will be an easing of the position. As I say, there are difficulties. But there are difficulties in many regions. I hope that the House will bear with us for a bit, anyway.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Does the hon. Gentleman mean to say that if anyone laughs at him he changes his Parliamentary reply?