§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Health how many women having their first child have been unable to obtain 203W a bed in Gravesend Hospital in 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, and to date in 1964.
§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of people on the waiting list for admission to Gravesend Hospital, and the category of treatment for which they are waiting.
§ Sir B. StrossThe waiting list at 31st October, 1964, was 868 as follows:
General Surgery 540 Traumatic and Orthopaedic Surgery 106 Ophthalmology 4 Dentistry 7 Gynaecology 211
§ Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the maternity unit at Gravesend Hospital is adequate to accept all who wish to have their first confinement in hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir B. StrossNo. A scheme is in hand to increase the number of maternity beds from 17 to 26. The regional hospital board hopes to complete this by the end of next year. A new maternity unit is being planned as the first phase of the major development of the hospital.