HC Deb 21 November 1973 vol 864 cc1308-11
4. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of geriatric beds in use in the East Fife Hospitals Board of Management area; what is the earliest date he expects additional beds to be available; and how many.

6. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from local authorities in Fife regarding the provision of geriatric beds in Fife hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the prospects for such provision.

10. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the shortage of geriatric beds in Fife; and what plans are in hand to expedite an improvement in the situation.

Mr. Monro

There are 288 geriatric beds in use in the East Fife Hospitals Board of Management area at present, including 30 at Cameron Hospital, Windygates, which have been brought into use in the last few weeks. A 30-bed unit at the Adamson Hospital, Cupar, is under construction and is expected to be available for use early in 1976. The planning of 60-bed units at Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy is in hand. A 90-bed unit at Dunfermline, which will improve the West Fife situation, is also in the programme. The total number of new beds provided, being built or being planned for Fife is 270.

The only representations received this year about geriatric beds in Fife were made by Cowdenbeath Town Council in April and at about the same time all the Fife local authorities, in association with the hon. Members, sought a meeting with me.

Mr. Gourlay

Is the Minister aware that that is a thoroughly disappointing reply? Is he aware of the misery and suffering in Fife among old and handicapped people during the last few years? Will he use emergency powers to create some hutted accommodation long before 1976 to alleviate this problem? Will he also consider the clinical barriers existing between the East Fife area and the Bridge of Earn area where, I understand, there could be accommodation for geriatric cases but they cannot be accepted because they are East Fife people? Will he show compassion in this problem and deal with it more urgently than he is doing at the moment?

Mr. Monro

I will consider the point about Bridge of Earn. The hon. Gentleman is being a little unreasonable. I have explained a very full programme. The hospital board fully accepts that there is a shortage in Fife. That is why we are pressing on as fast as possible.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in West Fife alone there is provision of 132 beds whereas 210 is the estimated requirement? While one appreciates what is being projected for the future, right up to 1980, that does not solve the problem now. Will the Minister link this with the important question of encouraging local authorities to provide sheltered housing units, because the average provision in Scotland as a whole, I think, is far below that in England?

Mr. Monro

I welcome the hon. Member's reference to sheltered housing, because we want to encourage all local authorities to press on with it as fast as possible. I appreciate that there is a serious problem in Fife. That is why we have authorised the hospital board to press on with the programme that I have announced as soon as planning is concluded. There is no question of delay.

Mr. Hunter

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these three Questions about geriatric beds in Fife do not indicate collusion among my hon. Friends and myself? They are simply an expression of spontaneous individual effort. Does not the Minister think that this shows how serious the situation is in Fife and that, in addition to the local authorities, consultants, medical practitioners the Fife Executive Council and many relatives of would-be patients are expressing public concern about the deplorable lack of beds?

Mr. Monro

Of course I accept that there was no collusion; it is natural for hon. Members to express their concern. I know that there is a problem, which I have not tried to minimise over the last two years. What I have said is that we are going ahead as fast as possible with the schemes in the programme. There is no conceivable way of providing beds more quickly.

Sir J. Gilmour

Will my hon. Friend consider giving special help towards looking after elderly people at home while these beds are being provided?

Mr. Monro

I will certainly consider that suggestion.

Mr. Hamilton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as early as possible.

20. Sir J. Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the shortage of orthopaedic beds in Fife hospitals.

Mr. Monro

As well as the representations by my hon. Friend, I have also received representations from the hon. Member for Kirkaldy Burghs (Mr. Gourlay).

Sir J. Gilmour

In view of the unsatisfactory length of waiting time for treatment in the Fife hospitals, will my hon. Friend ensure that priority is given to finance for providing the extra beds, particularly in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy?

Mr. Monro

Phase III of the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, is in Band V of the hospital programme, and this will provide 100 to 150 acute beds, which I hope will go some way to reducing waiting.