HC Deb 08 February 1993 vol 218 cc472-4W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the new Birmingham children's hospital is to be built;

(2) what capital resources are to be made available in each of the next three years for the implementation of the "Building a Healthy Birmingham" plan; and if she will make a statement on its likely progress during the above time scale;

(3) when there is to be a replacement for M block at Selly Oak hospital;

(4) when the new Birmingham accident and trauma unit is to be built.

Mr. Sackville

These are matters for the West Midlands regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Donald Wilson, chairman of West Midlands regional health authority, who may be able to assist with the information requested.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department made during its consideration of proposed hospital closures in South Birmingham district health authority of the possible risks of cross-infection entailed by locating a burns unit on the same site as orthopaedic and surgical units at the South Birmingham general hospital.

Mr. Sackville

All matters, including that referred to by the hon. Member, were considered before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State took her decision in favour of the proposals put forward by South Birmingham district health authority.

Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she took to discuss the proposed closure of the Accident and Royal Orthopaedic hospital with local hon. Members prior to making her decision on 1 February; and what steps she took to communicate her decision to local hon. Members at the same time as she communicated it to West Midlands and South Birmingham health authorities.

Mr. Sackville

I met the hon. Member on 27 October 1992, in relation to the proposals put forward by South Birmingham district health authority. The hon. Member was also given the opportunity on two subsequent occasions to meet me to discuss the matter.

I wrote to the hon. Member and the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 1 February 1993, informing them of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's decision in favour of South Birmingham DHA's proposals and to all other local hon. Members on 2 February.