§ 15. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many health centres were completed in the years 1965–66, 1966–67, and 1967–68; how many are planned for 1968–69; what was the total expenditure involved; and what were the comparable figures in the four years prior to October, 1964.
§ Mr. MillanIn the three years to 1967–68, five health centres were completed. In 1968–69 three were completed. The total cost of those eight centres was £245,500. In 1969–70 it is hoped that six centres at present under construction will be completed and that work will begin on another thirteen. In the four years prior to October, 1964, one centre was completed at a cost of £20,000.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my hon. Friend aware that the entire Scottish population will be highly gratified by the remarkable progress in the building of these centres? Will he undertake to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the location of the 60 centres which he said in the debate on 23rd May were under consideration for approval?
§ Mr. MillanYes, I am sure that creditable progress is now being made. I should be delighted to meet my hon. Friend's request and give details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. WoodburnCould the hon. Gentleman say how far the medical profession is co-operating in the work of health centres as health centres and are not using them just as consulting rooms? How does he compare the working of the older health centres with the new developments at Livingston?
§ Mr. MillanBefore any health centre is agreed and planned it has the support of the doctors who will operate in it. The health centres that I have seen in 1439 operation work on the basis that the general practitioners use the full range of facilities available. I expect this procedure to continue since it is absolutely basic to the whole idea of the health centre.
§ The following is the information:
| Under construction (six) | |
| *Blackburn. | Keith. |
| *Blackridge. | *Stenhousemuir. |
| Crieff. | *Thurso. |
| Plans approved (fourteen) | |
| *Bonnyrigg. | *Lerwick. |
| *Bridge of Allan. | Rutherglen. |
| *Broxburn. | *Stoneyburn. |
| *Dundonald. | *Symington. |
| *Forres. | *Tillicoultry. |
| Glasgow, Woodside. | Wick. |
| Kirkcudbright. | Biggar. |
| Planning (Thirty-three) | |
| Aberlour. | Glasgow, Royal Infirmary. |
| Airdrie. | |
| *Alloa. | Grantown. |
| *Bathgate. | *High Valleyfield. |
| Brechin. | *Kilcreggan. |
| Castle Douglas | Kirkcaldy. |
| Clydebank. | Kirkwall. |
| Cumbernauld, Central (Phase II). | *Inverbervie. |
| Jedburgh. | |
| Dumbarton. | Livingston, How-den. |
| Dundee, Crescent Lane. | *Markinch. |
| *Newton-Stewart. | |
| East Kilbride, Central. | Perth. |
| *Renfrew. | |
| *East Kilbride, West-wood. | Rothesay. |
| *South Queensferry. | |
| *Garelochhead. | St. Andrews. |
| Glenrothes. | Selkirk. |
| Glasgow, Gorbals. | *Winchburgh. |
| Proposals under consideration (Thirty) | |
| *Aberdeen, Denburn. | *Edinburgh, Stock-bridge. |
| Aberdeen, Forester-hill. | *Edinburgh, Gorgie. |
| Arbroath. | Falkirk. |
| *Baillieston. | *Fort William. |
| *Bishopbriggs. | Glasgow, Govan. |
| *Blantyre. | Glasgow, Easter-house. |
| *Bo'ness. | |
| *Burntisland. | Greenock. |
| Campbeltown. | *Inverurie. |
| *Culter. | *Leven. |
| Cupar. | Oban. |
| Dingwall. | Paisley. |
| Dumfries. | *Peebles. |
| Duns. | *Strathaven. |
| *Edinburgh, Wester Hailes. | *Tayport. |
| *Wishaw. | |
| NOTES: | |
| * A health centre, provided by a local health authority under powers delegated to them under Section 15(3) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947. |
§ The above list does not include a number of areas where there have been expressions of interest, but as yet no definite proposals for a centre.