HC Deb 22 December 1971 vol 828 cc1491-3
7. Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had regarding the conditions in Ward 7. Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Monro

I have received representations from the Eastern Branch of the Scottish Spina Bifida Association and from seven Members of this House. I recently visited the hospital and asked the hospital authorities to take steps to make alternative arrangements for patients in Ward 7. The South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board has now decided to withdraw patients from this ward and to make alternative facilities available from within existing resources with the least possible delay.

Mr. Ewing

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the decision to close Ward 7 will be welcomed by the parents of the patients in the ward and by the staff who have had to work in it under very difficult conditions? Has his attention been drawn to an article in the Daily Record of last Tuesday in which the consultant paediatric neurologist, Dr. Thomas Ingram, called for an inquiry into the affairs of the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board, into the activities, or lack of activity, on the part of the board and the apparent indifference of the board to the needs of children? Will the Minister set up such an inquiry and see that if members of the board or others holding positions of responsibility are not fit to carry that responsibility, they will be relieved of it?

Mr. Monro

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his remarks in the first part of his supplementary question. The important step now is to make sure that the changes which I have requested are made as soon as possible. I think that this will be far better done without an inquiry, which I do not propose to set up.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

Does my hon. Friend agree that there are in existence some very good plans proposed by the authorities concerned with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh? Could they be implemented? When does he think that a start can be made to get them into operation so that the whole hospital can be improved?

Mr. Monro

The regional hospital board has set out its priorities for future building after 1972. My right hon. Friend and I will be considering the priorities very soon indeed and then we shall announce when the new rolling programme will start. There is, however, no question at all but that the replacement of the existing Hospital for Sick Children is at the top of the hoard's list.

Mr. Douglas

What oversight does the Minister intend to have over the alternative arrangements that are to be made immediately?

Mr. Monro

Day-to-day contact with the board.