§ 33 Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Health why the new hospital at Barking has no provision for dealing with casualties; and if he is aware that a number of people seriously injured in accidents near this hospital have had to be taken to other hospitals five or six miles away.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Julian Snow)The North-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board have decided that casualties in the Barking area should be treated at King George Hospital, Ilford which is some three and a half miles away by road.
§ Mr. DribergCan my hon. Friend say at what date and at what level it would have been decided not to have a casualty ward in this very large and expensive new hospital? Would the decision have been taken by the regional hospital board?
§ Mr. SnowYes, Sir. The planning of the hospital began in 1957. There was never any intention to include a casualty centre, because it was the board's policy to continue to provide those services at King George Hospital, Ilford, the idea being to have a really well-equipped place rather than several units which were not so well-equipped.