§ 2.57 p.m.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy 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 which hospitals it is proposed to close in Northumberland, Durham and Cumberland.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the Area Health Authorities concerned are currently undertaking local consultations with community health councils and other bodies in regard to the possible closure of Leazes Hospital, Wolsingham, which is temporarily closed because of staff shortages. This is the only proposal at present being considered with local interests, but the noble Baroness will appreciate it is the duty of the Health Authorities continually to review the use of all premises for which they are responsible, and this may lead to further proposals.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, I thank the 1671 noble Lord for that rather restricted Answer. In view of the fact that the Sanderson Home, so far as crippled children are concerned, is already being closed down, may I ask the noble Lord this? Where hospitals are being closed down which have been provided in the past by generous people, who have given the hospitals and endowed them, what guidance has been given about what is to happen to the money which was originally given? I have in mind local hospitals such as the Sanderson Home in Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne. What will happen to the money that was given, when the children in that home are transferred to another hospital?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I have no information as to the treatment by the National Health Service of hospitals which formerly were charities. I will write to the noble Baroness when I have discovered the position.
Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that answer, may I ask whether it is not very odd that no guidance has been given about private money given to endow private hospitals which have since been absorbed into the National Health Service? Since it is most important, would he not think that that decision would be taken?
§ Lord ABERDAREMy Lords, at this time when there is a need for controlling Government expenditure, will the noble Lord bear in mind how important it is to think in terms of keeping going the hospitals which we have, rather than engaging in vast new building projects?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I am certain that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State is fully aware of this point. Indeed, that is the reason why only a single decision to close a hospital is being considered in the three areas mentioned by the noble Baroness.