§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the general policy of the Department of Health and Socal Security regarding the continuation of special children's hospitals in the Health Service; and if he will make a statement and publish it in the Official Report.
§ Sir George YoungThe planning of hospital services is a responsibility of332W regional and area health authorities. They will wish to ensure that children admitted to hospital are, wherever possible, placed under the overall care of a consultant paediatrician and nursed by staff trained and experienced in the care of sick children, while at the same time providing them with access to the wide range of specialised diagnostic and treatment facilities required for particular conditions. These requirements are most commonly met by the creation of a children's department within a district general hospital; but in those areas where an existing children's hospital already provides comprehensive facilities, it is for the health authority to decide in what way its services can best be linked or co-ordinated with those of the district general hospital, both now and in any plans for the future rationalisation of their hospital services.