§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make extra resources available to hospitals in Birmingham to update kitchens as a result of the loss of Crown immunity.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe have no plans to do so. Central guidance has, for a number of years, indicated that health authorities are expected to establish working practices as if they were not immune from legal penalty. Last July the chairman of West Midlands regional health authority announced that an additional £3 million was being spent on hospital kitchens in Birmingham following discussions with the city's environmental health officers on hygiene issues.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospitals in Birmingham have lost training status in the past one, two, and three years; and in each case for what reasons.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Department does not collect routinely detailed information about training recognition. The hon. Member may, therefore, wish to approach the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many beds and wards are currently closed in Birmingham hospitals; and how this compares with the situation one, five and 10 years ago;
(2) how many health authorities in Birmingham have discontinued a home laundry service;
(3) in which Birmingham hospitals the asbestos removal programme has been abandoned; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what is his best estimate of the numbers of patients of Birmingham hospitals with treatable conditions who have become incurable in the past 12 months.
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§ Mrs. CurrieI regret that this information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may therefore wish to write to the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority who may be able to help him.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the new policy initiatives from his Department in the past two years insofar as they affect hospitals in Birmingham; and if he will give details of the extra resources made available to carry out each initiative.
§ Mrs. CurrieIn general, the Department does not allocate funds for specific purposes. It is for each health authority to determine how the funds available to it should be spent bearing in mind the Government's policy aims and objectives.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on current policy regarding transfers of patients from Rampton hospital to St. Margaret's hospital, Great Barr, Birmingham.
§ Mrs. CurrieThere is no specific policy with regard to the transfer of Rampton hospital patients to St. Margaret's hospital, Great Barr, Birmingham.
Once it is considered that a patient no longer needs treatment in conditions of special security, the possibility of transfer from special hospital to another hospital or, if appropriate, discharge into the community is explored by the patient's responsible medical officer. Transfer to a National Health Service hospital must first be agreed between the patient's responsible medical officer and the appropriate NHS consultant. Where the transfer of a special hospital patient proves to be difficult there are arrangements for this Department to take up the case with the appropriate regional health authority. Permanent transfer is often preceded by a period of trial leave. In the case of a restricted patient the prior approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department is required before any move outside the special hospital can take place.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy not to restrict the use of hospitals in Birmingham to residents of Birmingham.
§ Mrs. CurrieDistrict general hospitals are expected to provide services for their local population as are teaching hospitals in addition to their wider responsibilities. General practitioners may however refer a patient to the consultant whom they consider will be of the greatest benefit to their patient.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the future of regional specialities of hospitals in Birmingham.
§ Mrs. CurrieI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the current funding of hospitals in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe have received a number of letters from hon. Members and members of the public about the funding of health services in Birmingham. Since 1979 the number of inpatients treated in Birmingham has increased by 12 per cent. and the number of patients waiting for treatment has fallen by 22 per cent. By any measure this808W is a success story made possible by increased resources and the dedication of the staff. Having discussed the current situation in Birmingham with the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority, I am confident that the best possible service will continue to be provided to patients within the available resources.
As the hon. Member is aware however, financial allocations to districts are a matter for the regional health authority.