HC Deb 05 August 1975 vol 897 cc206-8
2. Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being made on the provision of hospital services in the Leicester area; and if she will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Dr. David Owen)

Three major developments are in progress: an expansion of the Leicester General Hospital, including 124 acute beds and supporting services, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year; phase II of the Leicester Royal Infirmary, containing 415 acute beds and supporting services, which is scheduled for completion in 1977; and a 168-bed geriatric unit and day hospital on the Glenfrith site, expected to be finished by the end of 1976. The provision both of new maternity facilities at the Leicester General Hospital and of residential accommodation at the Leicester Royal Infirmary has received approval to start in the current year, subject to receipt of suitable tenders.

Mr. Farr

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that information, but will he bear in mind that it is vitally important that Leicester's teaching hospital be not lost sight of and that rapid progress be made towards getting the necessary output of qualified doctors by the given date?

Dr. Owen

The expansion of the medical student intake is one of the highest priorities, despite the fact that we are having to limit capital expenditure on hospital buildings. That is one of the reasons for the large number of projects being built in the Leicester area.

Mr. Greville Janner

Is my hon. Friend aware that Leicester has increasing health problems and one of the lowest ratios of hospital beds to population in the country? In the circumstances, will be give Leicester people the assurance that the plans for improving the health services in Leicester will be continued in spite of any cuts that may have to be made?

Dr. Owen

It is an acknowledged fact that there is a level of health deprivation in Leicester and throughout the region. We are trying to concentrate our resources on the basis of putting them into areas of health deprivation and of seeking to find better indices of such deprivation. I cannot give the assurance that my hon. and learned Friend wants other than to say that we recognise Leicester has a high priority.

Dr. Vaughan

As these local facilities are within the context of the national health resources, will the Secretary of State announce exactly what cuts she is envisaging nationally, and particularly the implications they will have for medical health staffing?

Dr. Owen

We are not yet in a position to give regional health authorities capital allocations for future years, although in her answer to the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe) on 29th April my right hon. Friend indicated that the effect of the Budget on the Department's regional allocations for hospital and community health services in 1976–77 would be a 25 per cent. reduction on the allocations for the current year.