§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have closed by region in each of the last five years. [18059]
§ Mr. HoramThe Department does not routinely collect information on hospital closures. Information is available centrally only on proposals to close or change the use of health service facilities which are referred to Ministers for a decision following objections from a community health council. A list of such closures for the period January 1992 to December 1995 is available in the Library, and is updated quarterly.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the hospital closure programme. [18060]
§ Mr. HoramThe Government do not have a hospital closure programme. Decisions on closing, opening, or significantly changing the use of hospital facilities are for local management.