§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make available in the Library details of the recent consultations concerning the future status of the Royal group of hospitals in 27WA Belfast; and what are the difficulties for the future of the group mentioned in the press release from the Northern Ireland Office dated 23rd October.
§ The Paymaster General (Lord Belstead)Formal public consultation took place during the three months ending 23rd August, although comments received afterwards were taken into account. The consultation was publicised and comments were submitted by a wide range of interests. Sixty-four responses were received. My honourable friend the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services also met consultants from the Royal group of hospitals and representatives from the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Responses were received in confidence and could not be disclosed without the permission of the respondents.
The difficulties revealed during consultation were the Royal group of hospitals' continuing problem of staying within budget and uncertainties about the future pattern of acute hospital care in Belfast.