HC Deb 23 April 1969 vol 782 cc445-7
6. Mr. Manuel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of geriatric beds in Ayrshire; and

Mr. Millan

I could not agree, for the reasons I have just given, that obviously if there are charges and we have a system of exemptions, which is very much better than on previous occasions when prescription charges were levied, it is also necessary to have at least a minimum amount of checking to make sure that the system is working satisfactorily and is not open to abuse.

Mr. Eadie

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are still many people in my constituency who resent the imposition of prescription charges? Is he aware that many of my constituents know that there are additional administrative costs, although we do not have the figures at this stage? Does he agree that it is a bit Gilbertian that we should work a system that imposes additional costs yet we abolish the principle of free prescriptions?

Mr. Millan

I would be glad to debate the whole matter on another occasion, but it has never been denied that such a system involves a certain amount of additional administrative expense. It is not true that the additional expense is anything like the amount of money saved by prescription charges. The figures are not at all comparable.

Mr. MacArthur

Will the Minister consider the administrative and public guidance problems which, under the present scheme, have fallen on pharmacists, particularly in rural areas?

Mr. Millan

I do not think that that arises from the Question. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular question, perhaps he will put it down.

Following is the information:

how many old people are on the waiting list for geriatric beds.

Mr. Millan

Five hundred and thirty-seven staffed beds; on 28th February, 243 persons were on the waiting list.

Mr. Manuel

Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the most compelling needs today is a sufficiency of geriatric beds in all areas? Will he do everything possible to supply these needed geriatric beds in the county of Ayr, which has had a very good record in health matters?

Mr. Millan

I agree with what my hon. Friend said in the first part of his supplementary question. Ayrshire is not one of the worst areas in Scotland from this point of view, but even there matters can certainly be improved. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that there is a proposal for an extention of 60 beds at the Biggart Home, and the North Ayr District General Hospital, which is admittedly some way off, will have a 60-bed geriatric assessment unit.

Mr. Younger

Is the Minister aware that there is concern in some parts of Ayrshire that there are not enough beds now? Will he bear in mind that there are certain parts of Ayrshire where the proportion of older people is rather higher than the national average, and that this is a special factor which should be taken into account?

Mr. Millan

In calculating the requirements, we work on a standard based on the number of persons in the population over 65, which automatically takes account of what the hon. Gentleman has just said.