§ 18. Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future life and use of Eastern District Hospital, Foresthall Home and Hospitals and Robroyston Hospital.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe 57 maternity beds at Duke Street Hospital, as the Eastern District Hospital is now called, will close following the opening of Rutherglen Maternity Hospital towards the beginning of next year. The future of acute services at this hospital will be considered by the Greater Glasgow Health Board as part of the redeployment of services resulting from the opening of Monklands District General Hospital next year.
Foresthall Home is owned by Strathclyde Regional Council and I am not aware of any proposals by the Council for changing its use in the immediate future. In the longer term Foresthall Hospital may be redeveloped as a geriatric unit, although probably on a smaller scale.
The Health Board has recommended the early closure of Robroyston Hospital because of a broken sewer, but no decision will be taken on this question until the Board has completed its consultations with local interests.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans are currently being prepared for the provision of additional hospital facilities in Glenrothes; what is the time schedule, the total cost and the estimated date of completion.
§ Mr. William RossHospital facilities currently planned for Glenrothes consist of a geriatric unit estimated to cost about £1 million. Planning of the scheme by the Fife Health Board is at an advanced stage, but no firm commitment to a start or to a completion date is yet possible. In common with other major capital schemes its priority within the health service building programme is at present under review, but this is not preventing progress with the final planning stages.