§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what interim and long-term steps he proposes to take to ensure that all the beds in Western Moffatt Hospital, Airdrie, are fully utilised for hospital cases; and if he will publish the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT;
(2) how many beds there are in Blocks 4 and 5 respectively, of Western Moffatt Hospital, Airdrie; how many are now occupied; what is the total staff employed and the approximate cost; and what is the nature of the duties of the medical superintendent employed at this hospital.
§ Mr. MaclayThere are three pavilions with patient accommodation.
Two, containing in all 44 beds, of which 17 are occupied at present, are used for tuberculosis patients. The Regional Board are considering whether by concentrating the treatment of tuberculosis elsewhere these beds could be used in future for geriatric patients.
The third pavilion is being used temporarily for maternity patients, of whom 194W there are 27 at present, while Calderbank House, Baillieston, is being renovated. The Regional Board plan later to adapt this pavilion as a general practitioner maternity unit serving Coatbridge and Airdrie.
The total effective staff is 78, of whom 41 have been transferred temporarily from Calderbank House. The annual staff costs are about £42,000 per annum.
The Senior Hospital Medical Officer in clinical charge of the tuberculosis patients is also responsible for the medical administration of the hospital as a whole.