§ 14. Miss Harvie Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much is currently being spent on (a) research into and (b) treatment of rheumatism in Scotland; how much has been allocated to treatment in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area; and if he is satisfied with the extent of provision in that area.
§ Mr. Harry EwingMy Department is currently spending about £8,000 per year and the Scottish Hospital Endowment Research Trust about £5,000 per year in support of research projects partly or wholly related to rheumatism. Expenditure is not allocated to treatment of patients suffering from specific conditions, and it is not possible to identify how much is spent on such patients. I am satisfied that Greater Glasgow Health Board is aware of the needs of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases.
§ Miss Harvie AndersonThe Minister will be aware that there are 60,000 sufferers from this disease in the West of Scotland. Is this not the highest ratio in any part of the country? Does he think that 41 beds in the excellent Baird Street clinic are adequate for treatment? Will he allocate part of the new resources for the NHS announced in the Budget to special provision in this area?
§ Mr. EwingI shall have to check the right hon. Lady's figures, but I will accept them as being accurate. The Greater Glasgow Health board recognises the size of the problem, because it has recently endorsed the decision to appoint five consultants in each of the five districts covered by the Board's area. Once stage 1 of the Royal Infirmary redevelopment takes place, it is intended to provide beds in that hospital that have been transferred from the Baird Street clinic.