HC Deb 02 February 1995 vol 253 cc840-1W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many operations have been cancelled at St. Bartholomew's hospital, London, because of bed shortages in the past two years;

(2) how many people were admitted to St. Bartholomew's hospital, London, in 1990–91, 1991–2, 1992–93 and 1993–94;

(3) how many patients were admitted to St. Bartholomew's hospital, London, and through what routes other than accident and emergency, in 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Malone

This information is not available centrally. Detailed information may be obtained by contacting Sir Derek Boorman, chairman of the Royal Hospitals NHS trust.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many nursing posts will be lost as a result of the closure of St. Bartholomew's hospital, London;

(2) what will happen to the specialist services currently provided on the St. Bartholomew's hospital site after its closure; and what will happen to existing nursing terms working on specialist wards at St. Bartholomew's hospital;

(3) how many extra beds will be added to (a) St. Thomas's hospital, London, (b) King's College hospital, London, (c) Royal London hospital, (d) Homerton hospital, London, (e) University College hospital, London and (f) Whittington hospital, London to accommodate the extra demand as a result of St. Bartholomew's hospital, London, closure;

(4) to which hospital patients will be referred once St. Bartholomew's hospital, London, has closed.

Mr. Malone

Detailed changes in the deployment of resources at the Royal Hospitals national health service trust and neighbouring hospitals are a matter for local providers and commissioning authorities, taking account of the outcome of the public consultation exercise currently being undertaken by East London and the City health authority.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra money is being invested in primary health care and community care to offset the effects of the closure of St. Bartholomew's hospital, London.

Mr. Malone

For 1993–94 and 1994–95, an extra £15 million is being invested in developing primary health care in the East London and the City health district.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people attended the accident and emergency department at St. Bartholomew's hospital, London, in 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Malone

Figures are shown in the table.

A and E attendances at St. Bartholomew's Hospital by financial year
Year (April/March) First attendances Follow-up attendances Total attendances
1990–91 37,139 5,185 42,324
1991–92 35,184 4,529 39,713
1992–93 31,187 2,740 33,927
1993–94 29,801 2,559 32,360

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to respond to the open letter sent to her on 26 January by theIslington Gazette about the future of St. Bartholomew's hospital and of health services generally for the people of Islington.

Mr. Malone

We have no record of receiving any such letter.