§ Mr. Bernie GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce his decision regarding the closure of acute wards at St. Ann's hospital in Tottenham.
§ Mr. FreemanProposals for the closure and transfer of acute beds at St. Ann's and the North Middlesex hospital are closely linked to the plans for major capital development on the North Middlesex site. I understand that as a result of decisions taken by North East Thames regional health authority on 27 November the redevelopment of the North Middlesex site is unlikely to start until after 1995–96. The RHA has recently completed a review of their capital programme in the light of their latest forecasts of income from land sales, and of higher than expected increases in building costs. This has involved some rescheduling of schemes over a longer timetable than originally envisaged. This rescheduling will of course be kept under review to take into account changes in forecasts for land sale income.
We will need to consider the proposals for the closure and transfer of acute beds put forward by North East Thames regional health authority in the light of this new information. I will of course write to the hon. Member when a decision has been reached on the closures.