§ 44. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Health how many people are awaiting admission to hospital in the Hull area; whether he is satisfied with the situation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SnowThere are 4,965 in all specialties. A temporary rise had been expected due to the major reorganisation of the hospital services in Hull associated with the commissioning of the new hospital, but the situation should now improve.
§ Mr. JohnsonWhile accepting these figures and the fact that conditions as we know them will never be perfect, is the Minister aware that the opening of a new general hospital with magnificent facilities has been welcomed by all sections of the population and that we were most happy to have that event a short time ago?
§ Mr. SnowI am glad to hear those remarks from my hon. Friend. He may be interested to know that 78 per cent. of the new beds are now occupied and that the in-patient services at the acute 1247 hospitals which have been replaced were run down to a significant degree, quite deliberately, over a period to facilitate transfers to the new hospital.