HC Deb 01 July 1980 vol 987 cc1295-6
13. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions in the last year he has called in closures proposed by an area health authority and not objected to by the relevant community health council; and if he will list them, indicating his reasons for so doing.

Dr. Vaughan

Once, in the case of the Overdene maternity hospital, Saltburn, when I was concerned at the strength of local feeling opposed to the closure. There have been a considerable number of other hospitals, whose future has been in question, where I have intervened to safeguard services in the interests of patients and the local community.

Mr. Adley

Is my hon. Friend prepared to follow that solitary example with a problem in my constituency which is almost identical to the one that he has described? Is he aware that there is complete opposition to the proposed closure of the Barton maternity hospital so as to concentrate yet more resources on Southampton general hospital?

Dr. Vaughan

I assure my hon. Friend that I am taking a close personal interest in the future of the Barton maternity home. Local concentrations are yet to be completed, but if at any point I feel that I should intervene, I shall do so.

Mr. Christopher Price

Does the Minister recall the case of St. Olave's hospital in the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham area, the closure of which was objected to by the local community health council? Does he also recall that certain assurances were given by the Secretary of State to the House during the passage of the National Health Service (Invalid Direction) Act? When will the area health authority receive the money implicit in those assurances to re-open the hospital?

Dr. Vaughan

I am not aware of any assurances given by my right hon. Friend. It was a temporary closure, and the consultations have extended over a considerable period. We are looking at the future of the hospital.