§ Lord ABERDAREMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have yet made a final decision on the future of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has not yet completed her study of the proposals before her.
§ Lord ABERDAREMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this matter is very urgent and that it has been going on for approximately a year? Is he further aware that the children's ward is to close on 17th November and that the maternity home is also threatened with closure? Also, does he appreciate that in these circumstances the hospital finds it difficult, if not impossible, to recruit any new staff? So will he urge on his right honourable friend the need for quick action in taking a decision?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I am aware in general terms of the urgency of the situation, and so is my right honourable friend who intends to visit the hospital in the near future—and when I say "the near future", I mean the near future. A decision will follow upon the visit.
§ Lord AMULREEMy Lords, does the noble Lord not think that now, when beds and hospital buildings are short, it would be far better if this hospital could be maintained and given some hope for the future, rather than be allowed gradually to run down?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, my right honourable friend is very well aware of the situation, and as I said, will herself be paying a visit to the hospital in the near future.
§ Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYEMy Lords, will the Government undertake to keep this matter under continuous review, to explore every avenue and to leave no stone unturned in order to come to this overdue decision?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMWe shall do even better than that, my Lords.
§ Baroness MACLEOD of BORVEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware not only that the hospital and all those working in it are very deeply concerned, but that those who work voluntarily for that hospital in particular, and who raise funds to provide amenities for it, do not know what to do for the future, or, indeed, for the present? They have funds which they would like to spend in the hospital, but they are unable to do so as they do not know what will be its future.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I fully appreciate the view expressed by the noble Baroness and I know that my right honourable friend will take note of it.
§ Lord PLATTMy Lords, while not wishing to go once again into all the reasons why this hospital is a very important one, will Her Majesty's Government keep in mind that it is not only the patients who will be affected, for the hospital gives an excellent opportunity for women doctors to take up a consultant's career?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the Government are well aware of this virtue of the hospital.