Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the present obstetrics and gynaecological facilities available in the Eastern health board area carried out in accordance with other than Roman Catholic teachings; and what are his future proposals for these services in the Eastern health and social services board area.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 4 April 1989]: The information requested is as follows.
Available beds for obstetrics and gynaecology in the Eastern health and social services board are:
Gynaecology Obstetrics Ulster hospital 37 45 Mater hospital 15 24 Royal Victoria hospital 32 — Royal Maternity hospital — 95 Belfast City hospital 38 68 Downe/Down Maternity 14 24 Lagan Valley hospital 29 45 Bangor hospital 16 — Ards hospital 26 26 Under the terms of the lease by which the Mater hospital is leased by the trustees to the Department of Health and Social Services the teaching and practice of medicine, the provision of specialist services and nursing are to be carried out in accordance with Roman Catholic moral and ethical principles.
The Eastern board is currently considering recommendations relating to the provision of obstetric and gynaecological services in the Belfast area, which arose from the recent complementarity study. When the board reaches conclusions, I shall wish to discuss their implications with the chairman of the board before any final decisions are taken.