§ 35. Mrs. Knightasked the Minister of Health what plans he has to speed up the provision of ear, nose and throat beds at the Children's Hospital, Birmingham.
§ Mr. LoughlinIt is not intended to increase the present number of beds at this hospital.
§ Mrs. KnightIs the Minister aware that children in the Birmingham area needing E.N.T. treatment must already wait 18 months for that treatment and that this waiting can do permanent damage to their hearing? Is he further aware that if a child needs attention in hospital for straightforward tonsils and adenoids, it has no hope of admission at the present time?
§ Mr. LoughlinIt is not just at this present time; this has been the position for quite a long time. I am appreciative of the difficulties mentioned by the hon. Lady. This specialty is now concentrated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, while previously it was scattered throughout the hospitals of the teaching group. We feel that this is a better system, which will ensure that the greatest number of people are treated.