§ 5. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he intends to review his Department's policy on hospital closures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThere will always be proposals for change involving the closure 523W of hospitals to meet the changing needs of the Health Service and make the best use of resources. Experience of the detailed consultation procedures has shown that, in the great majority of cases, the need for change has been accepted locally. Often closures of hospital units are the natural consequences of new hospital developments.