HC Deb 15 November 1983 vol 48 cc710-1
6. Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals in the London area have been closed during the last four years; and how many are currently under threat of closure.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Since May 1979, 29 hospitals in Greater London have been approved for closure. Formal closure proposals have been made, but not yet approved, in respect of a further 14. These figures do not include temporary closures.

Mr. Dubs

Is the Minister aware that his recent decision to close the south London hospital for women is bitterly resented in my constituency and adjoining areas? Is not the only conclusion to be drawn from the answer that he has just given that there will be further hospital closures in London and that we may well be left with only one teaching hospital in each London district health authority area?

Mr. Clarke

I accept that the south London hospital for women decision was difficult because of the unique service being provided there by women to women patients. The closure will release £5 million, which will pave the way for the next phase of the new St. George's teaching hospital, Tooting. In the short-term, it will allow much needed improvements to be made in the care of the mentally ill in that district, particularly at the Springfield hospital.

Mr. Jessel

Where greatly valued local community hospitals are under threat, such as those at Teddington and Twickenham in my constituency, following the recommendations in the Griffiths report, if a district health authority owns valuable under-used tracts of land, could they not be sold or leased to raise funds so that closures could be reconsidered?

Mr. Clarke

I accept what my hon. Friend says. It is important that we release surplus land at the proper value because it can provide money for health authorities to devote to patient services. We believe that the new management will give high priority to the disposal of surplus land and the better management of estates in use.

Mr. Simon Hughes

How many temporarily closed hospitals are there in London in addition to the closures that the Minister has mentioned? Will the hon. and learned Gentleman give an undertaking that none of the temporary closures will prejudice the ultimate decision as to whether the hospitals remain open?

Mr. Clarke

I require notice to give an exact figure of how many hospitals are temporarily closed. Temporary closure means just that. If people wish to make permanent decisions, they have to go through the consultation procedure. If there is any controversy, they then come to Ministers for decisions. Ministers will approve closures only where they are satisfied that they are in the interests of the authority and patient services and are the best way to make necessary economies to provide better health services elsewhere.

Mr. Higgins

Does my hon. and learned Friend accept that those who represent districts which are underfunded on the RAWP formula and in regions which are overfunded, including parts of London, believe that a fairer distribution of resources is important?

Mr. Clarke

No doubt my right hon. Friend's constituents and many others in areas surrounding London regard some of the campaigns going on in London to try to preserve surplus out-of-date hospitals as contrary to the interests of patients in areas such as his, which are underprovided, because the population has increased or because they are historically deprived.

Ms. Richardson

Does the Minister realise that the south London hospital for women occupies a special place in London and is not rundown and outdated? Does he recognise that women throughout London are enraged at the proposal to close the hospital? They see it as a reduction in their right to be treated in that hospital which, as has been pointed out, is run by women for women.

Mr. Clarke

The south London hospital for women was potentially surplus because it is in an already well provided area which is to have a new teaching hospital at Tooting. Some of those campaigning for the south London hospital for women put it to me that the logical alternative was not to proceed with the next phase of St. George's. That would be unpopular in Tooting, Clapham and Wandsworth, which are the areas affected. We have received an assurance from the authority that women patients who wish to have treatment from other women will, in all cases where it is possible, be offered such treatment, particularly in gynaecology, obstetrics and so on, about which many women feel strongly.