HC Deb 21 February 1978 vol 944 cc597-8W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate has been made of the additional cost of providing for the extension of the community midwifery service in the event of the closure of the Townend Maternity Home, Hull; whether, in view of the gynaecological waiting list at Hull Hospital for Women of 70 patients and of 858 patients at the Hull Royal Infirmary (Sutton), he will seek from the area health authority the reasons why the optimum use of beds at the Hull Hospital for Women is not being achieved; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle

Since the domiciliary midwifery service in the district is fully integrated with the hospital nursing service the area health authority gives me to understand that no net increase in cost is expected. Optimum use of the beds is impeded by lack of diagnostic and anaesthetic services at the Hull Hospital for Women. The area health authority's proposals to close the Hull Hospital for Women and the Townend Maternity Hospital are still the subject of local consultation.