§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the number of health authorities in England which are proposing to close the cardiac surgery service in hospitals; and what steps are being taken to provide alternative facilities.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Department has been notified by two health authorities, Victoria health authority and the National Heart and Chest hospitals special health authority, that they are undertaking formal consultation on proposals for the permanent closure or change of use of health buildings which involve services for cardiac surgery. My hon. Friend may wish to consult these authorities direct for further details.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of operating a cardiac surgery service in a hospital; and if he has made any study of the effect of the closure of such a unit where no alternative facilities exist in close proximity.
§ Mr. John PattenIt is not possible to provide a general estimate since total revenue costs will vary according to such factors as the size and location of the department and the numbers and types of cases treated. Studies of the effects of closures are matters for health authorities, which are responsible for ensuring that there are adequate alternative facilities.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of patients in England who would benefit from cardiac surgical facilities but who are prevented from being operated on for heart surgery due to the lack of cardiac surgery services and the effect on such numbers of the proposed closure of the cardiac surgery service at Westminster hospital.
§ Mr. John PattenThe number of coronary artery bypass grafts performed in the United Kingdom increased by 91 per cent., from 3,538 to 6,766, between 1979 and 1982, the latest date for which figures are available. Although no firm estimate of need has been established health authorities have been asked to give priority to the development of services for coronary artery surgery.
With regard to the proposed closure of the cardiac service at Westminster hospital I understand that the authority considers that there is sufficient spare capacity in other near-by cardiac surgery units to absorb the surgical workload that it currently undertakes.