§ 5. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will refuse to sanction the proposal by the South-West Regional Hospital Board to close the casualty department at Cossham Hospital, Bristol.
§ Sir K. JosephI have not yet been asked to sanction such a proposal. I explained to my hon. Friend in my reply to him on 28th October the stage which had been reached, and the situation has not changed since then.—[Vol. 823, c. 463-4.]
§ Mr. AdleyI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his help so far. Will he, when he is considering his decision, bear in mind the difficulties of many people who have to rely on public transport, particularly in cities where they rely on bus services, and changes in bus services? Will he please bear in mind that one is concerned not so much with major hospital cases but with minor cases which perhaps need regular attention which could be provided by a small district hospital?
§ Sir K. JosephThe whole purpose of the procedure being gone through is to ensure that all factors such as those mentioned by my hon. Friend are taken into account before any Ministerial decision is reached.