HC Deb 02 April 1998 vol 309 cc609-10W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds will be provided following the redevelopments at(a) Law Hospital and (b) Hairmyres Hospital. [36728]

Mr. Galbraith

Law Hospital will have 613 in-patient beds (of which 336 will be acute beds) and 56 places for day surgery. Hairmyres Hospital will have 364 in-patient beds (all acute) plus 52 day surgery places.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates he has made of the increase in travel time from East Kilbride to hospital in the case of an obstetric emergency following the transfer of services from Bellshill Hospital to Law Hospital. [36719]

Mr. Galbraith

The increased time requirement for emergency travel is estimated to be between 2–5 minutes on average. The Scottish Ambulance Service have also agreed that rapid access to specialist medical cover will be available 24 hours a day if emergencies arise.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of refurbishing and redeveloping(a) Law and (b) Hairmyres hospitals. [36727]

Mr. Galbraith

Neither hospital is suitable for refurbishment. The estimated construction costs for the new build Law and Hairmyres hospitals are £85 million and £67.5 million respectively.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about a potential increase in morbidity as a result of the relocation of obstetric services from Bellshill to Law Hospital. [36720]

Mr. Galbraith

None. However, Lanarkshire Health Board have received representations on this issue from individual obstetricians, paediatricians and midwives from Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals NHS Trust. The Board believe there is no reason to predict any increase in morbidity arising from the relocation of obstetric services.

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