HC Deb 09 May 1966 vol 728 cc21-2
23. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Health what is now the shortage of maternity beds in the area of the Kingston Group Hospital Management Committee; and what steps he is taking to eliminate this.

Mr. K. Robinson

Sixty; the regional hospital board intends to provide more maternity beds later this year.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Would the right hon. Gentleman say at what hospital it intends to provide more maternity beds and how many more?

Mr. Robinson

Yes, Sir. It is at Kingston Hospital, where the board proposes to provide 12 additional beds and to improve the labour suite. But a shortage of 60 beds does not take into account teaching hospital beds which are used by a number of women from the Kingston area.