§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the increasing centralisation of operations, including minor operations, in large hospitals is still in the interests of the rural population; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. Robinson:There is no doubt that the most effective service can be given in large hospitals based on large catchment areas and able to offer a wide range of facilities. My policy is therefore, as stated in Cmnd. 3000, to provide a network of district general hospitals of this type. Planning will, however, take into account the communications problem in scattered rural areas.