Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the future of Leith hospital.
§ Mr. John MacKayAs part of a wide-ranging review of services aimed at reducing inappropriately and under-used beds and increasing the provision for the elderly, Lothian health board has proposed to withdraw all services except for out-patients from Leith hospital and to provide a new 72-bed hospital mainly for geriatric patients at Leith. The board has sought my right hon. and learned Friend's approval to withdraw services from Leith Hospital and its proposal, along with the comments received during extensive public consultation, is being considered.