§ 30. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement as to the future use of Congleton War Memorial Hospital; and if he will have it enlarged to meet present-day requirements.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyThe Manchester Regional Hospital Board does not contemplate at present any change in the use of Congleton War Memorial Hospital, nor its enlargement.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, under successive Governments, the future of Congleton Hospital has been in jeopardy for 10 years and today there is a requirement for at least a dozen more beds? How does he expect future manning by staff for this hospital when its future is always in jeopardy?
§ Dr. DunwoodyIn view of the Answer I have given, I cannot accept that under 909 this Government this hospital is in jeopardy. On the question of additional beds, it is up to the regional hospital board to take local issues and local problems into consideration, but the occupancy rate was 65.4 per cent., which is not so high as in some other hospitals in the service.