HC Deb 19 January 1970 vol 794 c8
10. Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it official policy to have long-term geriatric facilities available at all local hospitals in Wales in order to facilitate visits by relatives and friends and in order not to move old people from their local environment.

Mrs. White

The recent Report of the Committee on the Functions of the District General Hospital recommended that all hospital geriatric treatment should be based on the district general hospital, but recognised that small hospitals could be used for patients not requiring the full facilities of the district general hospital. These recommendations are still under consideration, but we fully sympathise with the need to keep old people as close to their homes as possible.

Mr. Hooson

Will the right hon. Lady go further and say that where there is a local hospital and nursing facilities are available, she will make the geriatric facilities, not the intensive care facilities, available, because it is a great hardship for old people and their relatives and friends if these people are moved from their local environment?

Mrs. White

I cannot give an absolute assurance in every case, but I understand what is in the hon. and learned Gentleman's mind, and we certainly would not wish to move old people if it were not necessary to do so.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Can the right hon. Lady say how many small hospitals of this type in Wales are being closed, and how many geriatric cases will have to move?

Mrs. White

I think that if the hon. Gentleman wants the information in such detail he should put down a Question.