HC Deb 10 November 1970 vol 806 cc185-6
19. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to increase domiciliary and local health centre facilities in order to reduce the demand being placed on hospital beds and services.

20. Dr. Summerskill

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he now has for the establishment of more health centres; and whether he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

No loan sanction for a sensible health centre will be refused and I am considering other steps to encourage local authorities to provide more centres and community services.

Mr. Hall

Will my right hon. Friend pursue his efforts to encourage local authorities in this respect, because there is no doubt, in view of the shortage of nurses in particular, that anything done to relieve the pressures on hospitals must be to the benefit of the community as a whole.

Sir K. Joseph

Yes, Sir.

Dr. Summerskill

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the future of the health centre is the future of general practice? We welcome his reply. Will he maintain the welcome increase in the number of health centres from 30 to 159 which has taken place since 1964?

Sir K. Joseph

Yes, Sir. I welcome the changing trend, the changing acceptability of the health centres, that has occurred in the past few years, and I shall do my best to maintain the pace.

Mr. Pavitt

When will the right hon. Gentleman publish his review of the hospital building programme, in view of the need completely to recast it to take account of the points made by his hon. Friend, apart from the effect of the district general hospital?

Sir K. Joseph

I hope to make a statement shortly.