HC Deb 18 March 1970 vol 798 cc376-7
20. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the proposals for the future organisation of the Health Service in Scotland; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Millan

My right hon. Friend promised in the Green Paper that decisions on the structure of the health services would not be taken until the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government had been considered, and that Report is still under consideration.

Mr. Brewis

Will the hon. Member bear in mind the need to keep hospital services local, particularly for long-stay geriatric patients? Will he resist the temptation to concentrate on rather remote regional centres?

Mr. Millan

That is a rather different question. In considering reorganisation we shall want to take into account the need to involve the local community in hospital and other health services.