§ 27. Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to authorise the building of the two new operating theatres at St. Albans City Hospital.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyThe assessment of priorities and the planning of capital developments within its region are matters for the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board.
§ Mr. GoodhewThat is exactly what the Minister told me in a letter which arrived on the notice board a few minutes before I arrived here this afternoon. Is he aware that the two existing operating theatres are totally inadequate for a hospital of the size of St. Albans Hospital and that sometimes there are long delays leading to considerable unnecessary suffering in orthopaedic cases and the waiting list continues to extend?
§ Dr. DunwoodyI said exactly this in the letter because I do not think it appropriate for my Department to issue central directions with reference to an issue such as this. The regional board appreciates that there is a need for more 907 operating theatres in this hospital and is having discussions with the hospital management committee, but I cannot say what the outcome of those discussions will be.