§ 1. Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he takes to enforce procedures laid down in national health service circular No. 1975 (GEN) 46.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Mr. Michael Forsyth)I have received no complaints regarding health boards' compliance with this or any other circular.
§ Mrs. FyfeI am rather surprised to hear that, because Greater Glasgow health board is very dissatisfied with the lack of consultation over the closure of two wards in Ruchill hospital in my constituency. Will the Minister of State nevertheless assure me that if the move to day care will be to the detriment of those who were receiving in-patient care for endocrine and metabolic problems, he will take action? Will he reassure me about the future of those patients who, until now, have been in the rheumatology unit of Ruchill hospital?
§ Mr. ForsythI am a little puzzled by the hon. Lady's question. I do not see how Greater Glasgow health board can be dissatisfied with the consultation process when it is responsible for——
§ Mr. ForsythHealth council—the hon. Lady has corrected her position. As part of its general consultation process, Greater Glasgow health board consulted in respect of its acute services strategy for Glasgow. It has also carried out secondary consultations in respect of particular services. If the hon. Lady has anxieties, she should address them to Greater Glasgow health board, which is responsible for delivering the service.
§ Mr. CanavanWhy have Scottish hospital waiting lists increased by more than 4 per cent. in the past year? Why is the worst record in Scotland that of the Forth Valley health board area—which includes the constituency of the Minister of State—where the increase has been more than 24 per cent? If he has no regard at all for the welfare of patients, does he have regard for his job security?
§ Mr. ForsythI am astonished that the hon. Gentleman, as a Member of Parliament in Central region within the Forth Valley health board area, does not know the answer to that question. He will know that the largest increase in waiting lists as published is in respect of the new service and facility that have been provided in Forth Valley. He will also be aware that Forth Valley has expanded the number of treatments provided and, as a result, is offering a better service for patients.
§ Mr. CanavanWhy are the waiting lists so long?
§ Mr. ForsythThe hon. Gentleman should give some credit to that health board and every other health board in Scotland that has managed to increase the numbers of patients treated.
§ Mr. CanavanIt is the worst record in Scotland.
§ Mr. ForsythIf the hon. Gentleman wants to find a worse record in Scotland for waiting lists, he should look at the waiting lists that were left to us by the previous Labour Government.