§ Mr. N. McLeanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has now considered the report about the proposed location of the new hospital for Skye made by the two senior officials who visited Skye to obtain the views of the local people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclayYes. I have asked the Northern Regional Hospital Board to prepare proposals to provide for (a) improvements in the existing facilities at the Broadford Hospital and an extension of the in-patient facilities to enable the hospital to deal with surgical cases from all parts of Skye and the adjoining mainland and with medical and maternity cases from the south of Skye and the adjoining mainland; and (b) a new and smaller unit at Portree for the northern part of the island containing facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of outpatients, a few beds for general medical cases which can be treated by general medical practitioners, and a small maternity unit; the existing maternity hospital at Uig would then be closed.
I am satisfied that when this new provision has been made, the hospital facilities 222W in Skye will meet all the needs of the people, both in Skye and the adjoining mainland, which should be met locally, and that this disposition of the facilities between Broadford and Portree is the best that can be made in the special circumstances of the area.