§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make 177W it obligatory for hospitals to obtain the consent of regional hospital boards before closing casualty departments ; and if he is satisfied with present practice, particularly in the area of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Board.
§ Mr. AlisonPermanent closures need the consent of the regional hospital board. Temporary closures are notified to boards, but the decision must be made locally in the light of conditions. I am satisfied with the present practice in the area of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will name the respective casualty units in the area of the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board that are paired for closure purposes and name, together with time and date, those casualty units closed at any time over the Christmas and New Year period.
§ Mr. AlisonThe following hospital units are paired:
- 1. Hampstead General/New End.
- 2 The Royal Free, Grays Inn Road/ University College.
- 3. St. Charles'/The Hammersmith.
- 4. Whittington/Royal Northern.
- 5. St. Mary's, Praed Street or Harrow Road/ The Middlesex.
The only closure notified to the regional hospital board over the Christmas period was for female patients at St. Mary's, Praed Street, from 5th to 27th December 1973.