§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Health when work will begin on the proposed day hospital at Linton, Maidstone; and when work on further new geriatric buildings will be put in hand at Linton.
§ Mr. LoughlinWork on the proposed day hospital at Linton Hospital, Maidstone, will start this summer; the Regional Hospital Board propose to carry our further upgrading of the existing hospital building but not to erect any additional accommodation.
§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to increase the new buildings at Linton Hospital, Maidstone, with a view to removing the former workhouse building; and what steps he is taking to publicise the fact that there is already a substantial modern hutted hospital and that modern facilities are readily available to staff and patients.
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§ Mr. LoughlinOne ward block at Linton Hospital, Maidstone, is now being upgraded, and further upgrading of the hospital will follow; it is not intended to remove the existing building. I am sure that the facilities available at the hospital are already well known.
§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Health how many beds at Linton Hospital are at present occupied by comparatively well old people who should be in accommodation provided by the local authority and not under medical supervision; and what steps he is taking to urge the local authority to provide more of such accommodation.
§ Mr. LoughlinMy latest information is that the number is 24. The building of a new local authority residential home is planned to start shortly.