HC Deb 01 February 1961 vol 633 cc140-2W
Miss Herbison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's hospital building programme in Scotland.

Mr. Maclay:

Some time ago I invited regional hospital boards to indicate to me the major hospital projects they considered they ought to be able to undertake, first up to 1965 and then up to 1970. As a result, it has been possible to agree with the boards a provisional selection of the major projects that should, if possible, be started during the next ten years. The regional boards are now devoting a large part of their effort, in consultation with the boards of management concerned, to the heavy task of filling in the outlines of these large projects and working out their precise content so that they can bring each of them forward for my approval in principle.

The formulation of this ten-year programme is a major step forward, but I must emphasise that it must be provisional in certain respects. Some of the needs may change and ideas will change as to the best methods of meeting a particular need or as to its relative priority. Moreover, it is completely out of the question to take final decisions now and to determine so long ahead what the feasible rate of investment on new hospital building may be, having regard to other demands on resources.

Expenditure on hospital building in 1962–63, subject to the economic situation and the voting by Parliament of the necessary money, will rise to a provisional figure of £4,800,000.

I have made regulations raising from £30,000 to £60,000 the maximum cost of building projects which hospital boards can undertake without my prior authority.

My Department is giving close attention to the best ways of planning and controlling the considerable hospital building programme which is ahead of us. The objective is to create a framework in which this programme can be achieved with maximum acceptability to all concerned in the new hospitals and yet with speed and the efficient spending of the funds provided by the Exchequer. Research studies are being undertaken into matters affecting the planning and building of new hospitals and the results will be made available to hospital authorities. The first of a series of planning notes has already been issued.

I have announced most of the major schemes which are due to start up to 1964–65, these being as follows: Western Region

Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Rebuilding.

Dunoon Cottage Hospital, Replacement.

Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow, New Out-Patient Department.

Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, New Casualty Clinic.

Glasgow Dental Hospital, Extension.

Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Extension.

Vale of Leven Hospital, New Maternity Unit.

David Elder Infirmary, Glasgow, New Maternity Unit.

Royal Samaritan Hospital, Glasgow, New Maternity Unit.

Bellsdyke Mental Hospital, Larbert, Extension.

Camiesburn Hospital, Glasgow, New Plastic Surgery Unit.

Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, New Neuro Surgery Unit.

South Eastern Region

Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Rebuilding.

Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Rebuilding.

Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, Second Extension.

Randolph Wemyss Hospital, Buckhaven, Extension.

Eastern Region

Ninewells, Dundee, New Teaching Hospital.

Maryfield Hospital, Dundee, Rebuilding and Extension.

Dundee Dental Hospital, Extension.

North Eastern Region

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Extension.

Northern Region

Portree, Skye, New Hospital.

Belford Hospital, Fort William, Replacement.

Broadford Hospital, Skye, Extension.

The remaining schemes will be announced as they reach the appropriate stage of definition.