HC Deb 13 June 1966 vol 729 cc1018-9
23. Mr. Orbach

asked the Minister of Health the reason for the closing of the diabetic clinic at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stock port.

Mr. K. Robinson

The clinic facilities for diabetic patients at Stepping Hill Hospital have not been discontinued.

Mr. Orbach

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my constituents have been advised that they must in future attend at Macclesfield and that the clinic at Stepping Hill has been closed down? They have further been advised that transport will be provided, but they have to go with sandwiches because they cannot be returned home until after 4 o'clock, which means a whole day in order to attend the clinic.

Mr. Robinson

I will certainly make further inquiries and write to my hon. Friend about some of the specific points which he has made. My information, however, is that there never has been a diabetic clinic at this hospital. The clinic for the area is at Stockport Infirmary. To supplement this service, some diabetic patients are received by the same consultant at his medical clinic at Stepping Hill.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the Minister look carefully at this matter, because the general hospital at Macclesfield is an ex-workhouse built in 1842 and, under the new Hospital Plan, the time before rebuilding takes places has been put back six or seven years? Will the Minister consider the whole area, because Stockport and Macclesfield are very badly served in all respects?

Mr. Robinson

I am sure that conditions in the area have been considered very carefully by the regional board in drawing up its plans, but if the hon. Member has any particular question to raise I hope that he will put it on the Order Paper.