Dunfermline Maternity Hospital (Hansard, 28 February 1961)

§ 75 and 76. Mr. W. Hamilton
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will call for an immediate investigation of conditions in the Dunfermline Maternity Home, in view of the inadequacy of provision in the home for the West Fife populace;
(2) why the Dunfermline Maternity Home is not receiving priority treatment in the hospital capital investment programme.

§ Mr. Maclay
I am making inquiries in the light of the hon. Member's recent letter, and will be writing to him fully. I know however that the Regional Hospital Board accept that there is a need to provide additional maternity accommodation for Fife, but that they do not feel justified in giving the development priority over all other claims on their114W resources: these include three important projects in Fife itself.

§ Mr. W. Hamilton
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that on occasions women in labour have to be accommodated in the corridors in the Dunfermline Maternity Home; and what immediate steps he intends to take to remedy this state of affairs.

§ Mr. Maclay
The space in question is outside the designated labour rooms and normally serves as an ante-room. While it was not designed to accommodate patients it lies wholly within the self-contained delivery unit, which is shut off from the rest of the hospital by doors.
I am informed that the consultant obstetrician is satisfied that the use of this accommodation involves no danger either to the patients or their babies.

§ Mr. W. Hamilton
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many additional beds have been provided in the Dunfermline Maternity Home in each of the last 10 years; and what has been the estimated growth in the population of the area which the home serves in that period;
(2) what was the total size of population for which the Dunfermline Maternity Home was originally intended to provide; what population it is now providing for; and how many additional beds have been provided to take account of the population increase.

§ Mr. Maclay
It is estimated that, when the hospital was built in 1937, it provided for a population of approximately 92,000. The population of the corresponding area is now about 109,000, an increase of 18 per cent. Since 1937, 15 additional maternity beds have been provided, an increase of 43 per cent.
As regards the last ten years, no additional beds have been provided since a 10-bed extension brought the total to 50 in 1949. It is estimated that during the last 10 years the population of the area which the hospital serves has increased by 6,000, or just under 6 per cent.

§ Mr. W. Hamilton
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much capital investment has been incurred in the Dunfermline Maternity Home in each of the last 10 years; and on what projects the money has been spent.
115W

§ Mr. Maclay
The expenditure on capital works at the Dunfermline Maternity Hospital in each of the last

CAPITAL WORKS—DUNFERMLINE MATERNITY HOSPITAL

— 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 Total

£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

1. Ante-Natal Clinic 5,072 5,121 8,788 6,124 3,505 — — — — — 28,610

2. Ward Sterilising Rooms — — — — — — 1,100 241 — — 1,341

3. Sanitary Accom modation — — — — — — — — — 2,032 032 2,032

4. Minor Works — — — 163 608 — 404 241 93 142 1,651

Totals 5,072 5,121 8,788 6,287 4,113 — 1,504 482 93 2,174 align="right"33,634

CAPITAL WORKS—DUNFERMLINE MATERNITY HOSPITAL
—	1950–51	1951–52	1952–53	1953–54	1954–55	1955–56	1956–57	1957–58	1958–59	1959–60	Total
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1. Ante-Natal Clinic	5,072	5,121	8,788	6,124	3,505	—	—	—	—	—	28,610
2. Ward Sterilising Rooms	—	—	—	—	—	—	1,100	241	—	—	1,341
3. Sanitary Accom modation	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2,032 032	2,032
4. Minor Works	—	—	—	163	608	—	404	241	93	142	1,651
Totals	5,072	5,121	8,788	6,287	4,113	—	1,504	482	93	2,174	align="right"33,634