§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he considers the number of intensive care cots in Liverpool and in the North-West region to be adequate; and if he will increase the number of places available;
(2) why there are no intensive care units and cots near to Ormskirk and Southport.
§ Sir George YoungTen intensive care cots for newborn babies are provided at St. Mary's hospital for women and child-266W ren, Manchester and two cots at Hope hospital, Salford; these units serve the whole North-Western region. Units at three Liverpool hospitals, Alder Hey—six cots—Royal Liverpool children's hospital—six cots—and Liverpool maternity hospital—four cots—provide a similar service for Mersey region. This is broadly in line with guidance issued by the Department, which suggests that this highly specialised form of provision should be concentrated in one or two units per region.
The North-Western regional health authority recognises that some expansion of its service is needed and is considering proposals for increasing the number of cots. The Mersey region is currently considering its provision in this field.