§ 28. Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the future of small cottage and rural hospitals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayI have received recent representations about the future of the following small cottage and rural hospitals:
- Fife
- Netherlea Hospital, Newport
- Grampian
- Glen O'Dee Hospital, Banchory
- Maud Hospital
- Tayside
- St. Margaret's Hospital, Auchterarder
- Crieff Cottage Hospital
- Meigle Cottage Hospital
- Fyfe-Jamieson Maternity Home, Forfar
The general question of rural hospitals was also considered in the Scottish Consumer Council's report "Consumer Problems in Rural Areas", and my officials have met representatives of the council to discuss its views on this type of hospital provision. It is of course in the first instance for health boards to plan the distribution of hospital services within their areas taking account of the requirements of their area and the availability of resources.
There are advantages to be gained by providing services for particular groups, such as the elderly and the mentally handicapped, close to their homes where possible. Rural and cottage hospitals have an important role to play in this respect. In relation to other services boards have also, however, to take into account the advantages of concentrating scarce skills and highly sophisticated equipment in the main population centres.