§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to provide new hospital buildings and more staff; and whether he will provide long-stay annexes and half-way houses for hospital patients who do not require constant medical attention.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe hospital boards, which are responsible for planning hospital capital development, are undertaking it up to the maximum of the resources available for the purpose. The need for accommodation of the kind referred to in the last part of the Question, along with other needs, is taken fully into account by the boards in framing their programmes. The steps taken to obtain more staff depend on the particular circumstances of each case and the kind of staff required. As an example I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular I have recently issued to hospital authorities on the recruitment of nursing staff for mental and mental deficiency hospitals where there is a special need.