HC Deb 11 May 1970 vol 801 cc816-7
30. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the waiting list for North Devon hospitals has increased by 25 per cent. in the past year; and what steps his Department is taking to assist the regional hospital board to reduce this list.

Dr. John Dunwoody

Admissions to the North Devon Infirmary were restricted to urgent cases while wards were being refloored. The wards are now in commission and a new theatre has been opened. The position is expected to improve quickly throughout the group.

Mr. Mills

Will the Minister bear in mind, again, that it is not only in Barnstaple but, indeed, in Bideford that there is a 25 per cent. increase in the waiting list? This is a serious problem which is partly due to the fact that there are new indutries there and a vast increase of elderly people coming into the district, so adequate facilities must be provided.

Dr. Dunwoody

The new industries in the South-West are something which the hon. Gentleman and I welcome. I agree that there is a problem in Bideford, and it is related to the problem in Barnstaple. We hope that the situation will improve quickly throughout the whole group, not only in Barnstaple and Bideford. I should tell the hon. Gentleman that all urgent cases are admitted without delay.