§ 79 and 80. Mr. Hayasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he is aware that the present arrangements for outpatients at Watlington Cottage Hospital, Oxfordshire, are unsatisfactory and inconvenient: and what efforts he is 47W making to expedite the provision of better facilities;
(2) whether he is aware that outpatients at Thame Victoria Nursing Home, Oxfordshire, are obliged to wait for attention under unsatisfactory conditions; and when it is expected that this situation will be remedied.
§ Mr. MarquandI have been informed by the regional board that they have been unable as yet to arrange, within the limited amount of capital investment available to them, for necessary structural improvements to be carried out at these hospitals, but they intend to arrange for these as soon as circumstances permit.
§ 81. Mr. Hayasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that small hospitals in rural areas receive an adequate grant for the provision of outpatient facilities; and whether he will consider reducing the grant to larger hospitals to permit an increase in the grant to smaller hospitals.
§ Mr. MarquandIt is primarily for the regional hospital board to plan the development of hospital and specialist services in their area, to assess the relative urgency of different projects, including the provision of out-patient facilities in rural areas, and to consider how the limited available resources can best be used.