§ 36. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further steps have been taken to add to the number of geriatric beds in Fife hospitals.
§ Mr. MillanOver 100 new geriatric beds are being provided in Fife hospitals this year. The Regional Hospital Board plans to provide 180 more by 1972.
§ Mr. HunterWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that information, may I ask him if he is aware that earlier this year there were over 286 geriatric beds in the county of Fife, and the estimated figure is 600, as approved by my right hon. Friend? Would he not agree that this is a continuing problem which will become progressively worse? Would he give Fife more special attention?
§ Mr. MillanIt is very much a problem at the moment, but I could not agree with my hon. Friend that it will become worse. When the projects that I have just mentioned are completed, Fife will be up to the accepted level for the rest of the country. Certainly at the moment it is a serious problem.