§ 1. Sir J. Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received with regard to the decision ratified by the South-East Scotland Hospital Board to make Kirkcaldy the hospital control centre for multiple major accidents in the St. Andrews area; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Bruce Millan)My right hon. Friend has received one representation. This arrangement is not new. Dependent on the number of casualties involved in a major accident, the accident units are expected to help each other, and in the case of a major accident at St. Andrews the Kirkcaldy control centre could be expected to arrange for Dundee Royal Infirmary to take some of the casualties.
§ Sir J. GilmourIs it not true that if someone suffers an accident but is able 212 to call his own doctor he is able to go where he likes, whereas if he is unfortunate enough to become unconscious he is whisked away to a hospital which is possibly not nearly so satisfactory from the point of view of family visiting and many other considerations? Could not this matter be further considered?
§ Mr. MillanThe hon. Gentleman's distinction is not the right one. The right distinction is between ordinary accidents involving a small number of casualties, perhaps only one, and major accidents, The arrangements which I have described apply only to major accidents.