HC Deb 06 March 1973 vol 852 cc209-10
3. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be able to publish the results of his study on the future rôle of community hospitals.

29. Mrs. Knight

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the future position of cottage hospitals.

Sir K. Joseph

I cannot at present add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. McCrindle) on 6th February.—[Vol. 850, c. 60.]

Mr. Moate

Does my right lion. Friend agree that many small local hospitals have a rôle to play in strengthening the links between general practitioners and the hospital service, and also in providing much-needed local minor casualty services? When he presents his report, will he consider the possibility of allocating extra resources for the modernisation of many of these local facilities?

Sir K. Joseph

The Government last year announced that, contrary to previous policy, they saw a need for the survival of a number of cottage hospitals to serve the rôle of community hospitals in support of district general hospitals. That cannot be a charter for the survival of all cottage hospitals. I hope to make a statement within a relatively short time.

Mrs. Knight

Is my right hon. Friend studying the suggestion that patients with relatively minor ailments needing fairly simple treatment are often dealt with just as well and considerably more cheaply in cottage hospitals than in hospitals of the juggernaut variety?

Sir K. Joseph

It is the definition of what conditions are and are not suitable for community hospitals that is being discussed by me with the medical profession.

Dr. Summerskill

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the maintenance of the small community hospital encourages the concept of community care and that approximately one-third of the patients who are now in large hospitals, particularly geriatric and mentally ill patients, could be cared for in smaller hospitals which are easier to staff and usually cheaper to run?

Sir K. Joseph

Yes. I am glad that the Labour Party has changed its view about the function of the community hospital.