§ Mr. StanbrookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health Whether he has taken a decision on the proposals Submitted to him by the North West Thames regional health authority for the re-configuration of health services in Riverside health authority; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. Kenneth ClakeAfter due consideration, I have today approved the Westminster and Chelsea Project, a set of proposals put forward by Riverside health authority, and endorsed by the regional health authority. The proposals by Riverside health authority include a scheme to build a new teaching hospital which will provide the most up-to-date facilities to meet the challenge of providing health care for the people of Riverside into the 21st century.
There are additional plans to build five nursing homes and two health centres in the riverside district. The project also proposes the closure of the Westminster, the Westminster Children's the West London, and St. Mary Abbot's hospitals.
I have written today to the chairman of North West Thames regional health authority with my decision.