HC Deb 21 March 1996 vol 274 cc481-2
3. Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received about the closure of the Mourne hospital, Kilkeel and the Banbridge hospital. [20409]

Mr. Moss

Since the beginning of 1996, three representations have been received about proposals from the Southern health and social services board affecting the future of the Mourne hospital, and two representations have been received about the closure of Banbridge hospital. In addition, a petition about Banbridge hospital—which contained more than 5,000 signatures—was sent to the Prime Minister.

Mr. McGrady

The Minister's reply shows that there is great disquiet and discontent among people in the catchment areas served by the hospitals in Kilkeel and Banbridge. Is he aware that the consultative process carried out by the Southern health and social services board was a charade, in light of its decision of 29 February, because it could not possibly have taken on board, analysed and assessed the representations made to it by the community? In view of that, will the Minister, first, withhold ministerial approval from that unlawful decision, secondly, receive the representations that were ignored by the Southern board and, thirdly, receive a small deputation from the community groups representing each of the hospitals?

Mr. Moss

Consultation on the future services in Banbridge and Mourne have been going on since 1992. The hon. Gentleman rightly pointed out that there was some public confusion about the earlier consultation. That is why the board decided in April and May 1995 to have further consultation, which concluded at the end of last year. I am not prepared at this stage to change the board's decision, but its decision about both hospitals is conditional on services of as good, if not better, quality being provided on site in those communities. I shall consider the matter extremely carefully before I endorse the decision.

Rev. Martin Smyth

With all the rationalisations going on, will the Minister be able, soon, to announce that there is a place for community hospitals, which provide minor surgical and medical treatment for patients in their areas who may already have received major surgery or other treatments in acute hospitals or regional specialty centres, providing respite care and nursing attention?

Mr. Moss

I agree with the hon. Gentleman's sentiments. We shall soon publish our regional strategy for the next five years, which points to the concentration of acute services at, say, six major hospitals, but that does not mean that there will be no role for all the other hospitals in Northern Ireland. We are considering a definition of a community hospital which will do many of the things that are needed on a local scale and will complement activities at the big acute hospitals.

Mr. Dowd

On the future of hospital services throughout Northern Ireland, is the Minister aware that the further cuts of £31 million in health budgets have exacerbated the funding crisis that already confronts them, and are likely to lead to deeper cuts in acute services—so much so that the trust managers and health boards have been obliged to call emergency meetings to discuss where the axe will fall? What action is he prepared to take to avoid the appalling prospect of further closures and bed closures, especially in intensive care, which have been such a damaging feature of the NHS throughout the United Kingdom recently?

Mr. Moss

The delivery of the health service in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the health boards, and they have been given an apportionment of the finances for the next year. I do not expect them to come up with any proposals to cut beds, and certainly not intensive care. I have given the boards and trusts a target of 1.5 per cent. efficiency savings and additional 1.5 per cent. cuts in some services but, as the boards are tasked with representing the health needs of their areas, I do not expect a major reduction in emergency treatment in our hospitals.