HC Deb 12 February 1985 vol 73 cc153-4
4. Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the future of treatment for cysticfibrosis sufferers at the Royal Manchester children's hospital.

Mr. John Patten

Salford health authority is considering improving services for cystic-fibrosis sufferers and other patients at the Royal Manchester children's hospital by altering the present ward arrangements. I am aware of the hon. Member's concern. If the health authority decides to press ahead with those proposals, it will consult locally.

Mr. Carter-Jones

I express gratitude to the Minister for his reply, but will he say how wide-ranging the consultations will be? In view of the national importance of the hospital, will he give a firm assurance that the decison will be made on medical grounds, not on the basis of administrative expediency?

Mr. Patten

The decision will be taken on medical grounds and in the best interests of the patients at present being served in the hospital. Consultation will be according to the well laid down pattern for consultation, with the local community and the community health council.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Is the Minister aware that parents of children and staff in the affected ward at that hospital are worried about a possible break-up of the specialist teams and their skills, which have been built up for the treatment of cystic-fibrosis? Is he further aware that as it is a regional service — my constituents, for example, use it — the decision should not be in the hands of Salford district, but should more properly be shared equitably throughout the region?

Mr. Patten

Obviously, the regional health authority is considering the region-wide implications of proposals such as this which may be made in that hospital. We have been assured by the district health authority, which so far has made only possible proposals, that the treatment will simply be carried out in different parts of the hospital, and at the same level and largely by exactly the same staff as previously.

Mr. Sumberg

Is my hon. Friend aware that the matter causes widespread anxiety in all parts of Greater Manchester, including my constituency? Will he give an undertaking that if these proposals are implemented they will be kept under constant review, and that if they do not work, the decision can be reversed?

Mr. Patten

We would not permit any decision to alter the use of the ward, or to transfer patients from one ward to another, if we did not think that it was in the best interests of the young patients who are being helped in that ward.

Mr. Terry Lewis

The change that Salford health authority is considering is that a seven-day ward should he reduced to a five-day care ward. That is based on experience in recent months of similar changes in a surgical ward. However, the treatment of children with cystic-fibrosis is wholly different from the treatment of children in surgical wards. Many Opposition Members are desperately keen for the regional health authority to have a say in this and to make sure that any changes will be for the benefit of the children — [HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] Although the yobbos on the Conservative Benches may not like it, it has been said.

Mr. Patten

My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Health has written to the regional health authority about this matter following a meeting that he had shortly before Christmas with interested local Members of Parliament.