HC Deb 22 February 1972 vol 831 cc254-5W
64. Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what hospital buildings are planned for completion during the next three years in the area of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board; how many autistic children in the Manchester area are still in hospital wards; what action is being taken to train specialist staff to aid autistic children in the Manchester area: and whether he will reconsider the criterion for the definition of constant attendance.

Mr. Alison

The hospital buildings each costing £150,000 or more expected to be completed by Manchester Regional Hospital Board by March, 1975, are:

  • Lancaster Royal Infirmary—Maternity Unit
  • Victoria, Blackpool—Maternity Unit.
  • Burnley General—Boiler House.
  • Billinge, near Wigan—Geriatric Wards and Residential Accommodation.
  • Leigh Infirmary—Theatres and X-Ray 90 Bed Ward Block.
  • Hope Hospital, Salford—Residential Accommodation.
  • Crumpsall, Manchester—Improvements to Maternity Departments.
  • Ancoats, Manchester—Out-Patients and Accident Departments.
  • Withington, Manchester—Theatres and Theatre Sterile Supply Unit and Research and Student facilities. Improvements to X-Ray Department Out-Patients Department Extension Nurses Accommodation (Phase 2).
  • Wythenshawe, Manchester—Major Developments—Phase IIB Ward Blocks etc.
  • Stepping Hill, Stockport—Laundry and Residential Accommodation. 4 Standard Ward Units, 2 Operating Theatres.
  • Birch Hill, Rochdale—Surgical Wards.
  • Prestwich—Laundry Extensions.
  • Calderstones, near Blackburn—New Boiler House.
  • Ladywell, Salford—Younger Chronic Sick Unit.
  • Sharoe Green, Preston—Younger Chronic Sick Unit.

The Board is reviewing its capital programme for 1973–74 and subsequent years and the above list excludes any scheme which might start in 1973–74 and be completed by 1974–75. Schemes with a building and engineering cost of below £150,000 are not individually listed by my Department. In July, 1971, there were in hospitals in the Manchester Region 31 persons under age 17 diagnosed as autistic; this is the most recent figure available. The training of the medical and nursing staff covers all relevant aspects of treatment. So far as attendance allowance is concerned I would refer the lion. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to Questions on 21st December, 1971.—[Vol. 828. c. 1284–6.]