HC Deb 27 June 1966 vol 730 cc1228-9
35. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Health what is now the shortage of maternity beds and beds for geriatric and mental cases, respectively, in hospitals serving the administrative county of Essex; and what is the staff shortage in such hospitals.

Mr. Loughlin

Approximately 140 maternity beds, 350 geriatric, and 330 for mental subnormality; but these hospitals also serve other areas. Figures for additional staff requirements are not available.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Nevertheless, would not the hon. Gentleman agree that there is a considerable shortage? Can he hold out any hope of improvement?

Mr. Loughlin

We agree that there is a considerable shortage. However, the hon. Gentleman should recognise that the catchment areas of hospitals are not always conterminous with local authority areas, so that he should not read too much into the figures. There is a shortage, but it has been there for a considerable time.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we challenge his figures? What year has he used as the base for estimating geriatric requirements? Is he aware of our concern in Essex about the cut-down in old people's homes which has been forecast?

Mr. Loughlin

I think that the figures are for the Hospital Building Programme, which is fairly recent. The difficulty of using figures of this kind is that the two areas are not conterminous and unless one is very careful, one uses figures which are not in the same family and, as a result, an incorrect comparison is made.

Mr. Braine

Is my hon. Friend aware that his Ministry has already cut down welfare provision for the elderly in Essex, a county where the population is increasing at the rate of 30,000 a year? Does his Answer mean that he is satisfied that Essex is getting a fair proportion of the resources for geriatric accommodation? How do these figures compare with those for the country as a whole?

Mr. Loughlin

The hon. Gentleman must not make these statements. We have not cut down welfare provision for Essex. So far as I know, Essex compares reasonably with the rest of the country.

Mr. Ridsdale

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.