HC Deb 04 May 1971 vol 816 cc1157-8
19. Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average weekly cost of keeping a patient in Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry; and what is the national average.

Mr. Alison

In 1969–70 the average cost per in-patient week for Walsgrave General Hospital (Phase II) was £76.21. The national average for all hospitals similarly classified as "acute" and with more than 100 beds was £55.70. Figures for 1970–71 are not yet available. The General Hospital, with 614 acute beds, did not open until 18th May, 1969, and the average number of beds available in 1969–70 was only 396. The in-patient costs in that year are not, therefore, representative of the comparative position expected when the hospital has been working to full capacity for 12 months.

Mr. Price

Mr. Speaker, am I entitled to draw the conclusion from the length of that answer that the Minister is on the defensive?

Mr. Speaker

All that the hon. Gentleman is entitled to do is to ask a supplementary question.

Mr. Price

I regarded that as my supplementary question. In view of the fact that it is out of order, I shall move on to my next one. Is the Minister as committed as his predecessors were to the concept of great new district hospitals, or will he reverse the trend of creating size for the sake of size and closing down or running down other hospitals in the area to pay for it?

Mr. Alison

It all depends what the hon. Gentleman means by "great". We believe that there is a future for local hospitals, especially in association with the needs of general practitioners.

Sir B. Rhys Williams

In view of the alarming cost of full-time medical care in hospitals, will my hon. Friend consider schemes for helping institutions, particularly in the private sector, which give after-care facilities?

Mr. Alison

That is a general question. If my hon. Friend cares to pose a specific request, we shall consider it sympathetically.