§ 6. Mr. Hirstasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the provision of maternity services in the Greater Glasgow health board area.
§ Mr. John MacKayGlasgow health board is currently reviewing its future plans for maternity services, including its earlier proposal to close the maternity unit at the Stobhill general hospital. Any such proposal would require the approval of my right hon. and learned Friend.
§ Mr. HirstWhile I accept that in Glasgow there is over-provision of maternity beds, may I remind my hon. Friend of the concern among my constituents about the future of maternity services in their area, although they are greatly encouraged by talk of a new maternity unit for the north and north-east of Glasgow? Is my hon. Friend aware that there is an excellent green field site at Stobhill hospital where such a new unit could be sited? Can he hold out any prospect that that unit may come to Stobhill?
§ Mr. MacKayAs my hon. Friend knows, the board has considered a number of responses received as a result of the consultative exercise, including his comments and observations. A final decision must be set in the context of the review of maternity services for the whole of the Greater Glasgow area, which is being undertaken by the board's general manager. One of the options may well be to build a new unit on a green field site at Stobhill, but that matter is principally for the board. If it decides to opt for closure, it will then have to come to me and my right hon. and learned Friend.
§ Mr. MaxtonWhy does the Minister not admit that the reason why the Greater Glasgow health board, is threatening Stobhill or any other hospital in Glasgow is simply that he has failed to provide proper financing for the Greater Glasgow health board, as this year he has left it with a minimum £6 million deficit which it must find? Will he come clean and give the Greater Glasgow health board the finance that it needs?
§ Mr. MacKayThe Greater Glasgow health board is the best funded health board in Scotland. If it were to receive more resources, it would be at the expense of other Scottish health boards. Moreover, the simple fact is that there are more available staffed maternity beds in Greater Glasgow than are needed, even on the busiest day. It must make sense, even to the hon. Gentleman, that the Greater Glasgow health board should make the best use of its resources, and that does not mean keeping staffed beds which it knows will never be used.