HC Deb 23 January 1990 vol 165 cc727-8
4. Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the closure of Park hospital, Liverpool.

Mr. Freeman

There are no firm proposals at present to close Park hospital, which is a mental illness hospital. The Liverpool health authority is considering how some of the patients at the hospital may be better cared for at the new acute unit at Broadgreen and other hospitals, and, of course, in the community.

Mr. Parry

Is the Minister aware that Liverpool health authority is currently being lobbied by a committee consisting of women and relatives of patients and all the NHS trade unions? Is he aware that Park hospital has been declared a centre of excellence by the Mental Health Act Commission, and that £2.5 million has recently been spent on it? Selling off such a priceless asset would be a crime against humanity.

Mr. Freeman

I have already said that there are no plans to close Park hospital. As the hon. Gentleman and many of his hon. Friends will know, a formal procedure takes place before the closure of any hospital, or indeed any significant change in the service. In the event of sustained opposition from the community health council, the proposal ultimately comes to Ministers, but in this instance, that has not happened.

Mr. Terry Fields

Surely the Minister must come up to Liverpool, visit Park hospital and see the reality for himself. Staff have been told that four of the seven wards are to close. Some patients will be shunted to Rathbone hospital; others will be dealt with in the private sector and by charities. The least able members of society will be left to fend for themselves, and psychiatric patients will be forced to wander the streets of Liverpool. Despite the nonsense talked by the Minister about there being no diminution of care in the community, old people will clearly be treated despicably by the Government.

Mr. Freeman

I have been to Liverpool six times in the past 12 months, but I have not been to Park hospital, and next time I go there I shall certainly consider doing so.

No patients, elderly or otherwise, will be wandering the streets. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that those patients—and that does not mean all—who can be cared for better in the community, which may mean hostels or their own homes, should be cared for in that way; it is correct and the humanitarian way.