HC Deb 08 July 1963 vol 680 cc112-3W
Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the progress of the new St. Helen Hospital, Barnsley.

Mr. Braine

I have nothing to add to my letter of 4th March to the hon. Member.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health what is the present waiting list for hospital beds in Barnsley and district; and what progress is being made to reduce it.

Mr. Braine

1,661 at 31st March; this represents a reduction of about 300 in three months and over 430 in 12 months.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health to what extent patients from Barnsley and district in need of hospital treatment are being sent out of the Barnsley area for treatment, specifying the hospitals to which they are sent and the number of beds available in such hospitals to Barnsley patients.

Mr. Braine

Beds are not generally allocated to patients from specific areas; I regret the other information is not available.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health to what extent his reappraisal of the bed capacity and facilities at Wathwood Hospital is now complete; and what effect this will have upon the waiting list in Barnsley and district.

Mr. Braine

The upgrading at Wathwood should be completed this month and about 10 more Barnsley patients will then be treated there.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health how many patients from Barnsley and district in need of mental treatment are treated within the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board's area; how many are treated within the Leeds regional area and, in particular, at Storthes Hall, Huddersfield; and to what extent patients are treated elsewhere.

Mr. Braine

So far as I know, two; about 370 (including about 330 at Storthes Hall); very few.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health how many patients in Barnsley and district in need of mental treatment are awaiting admission to hospital.

Mr. Braine

Four.