HC Deb 06 February 1973 vol 850 cc59-60W
38. Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure that the majority of large hospitals appoint a full-time organiser to help bring in additional voluntary help, thus associating the community more closely with the Health Service, and saving money at the same time.

Sir K. Joseph

I have already commended to hospital authorities the making of such appointments provided that there is general local acceptance of the need to do so. The saving of money is not however one of the objects of encouraging voluntary help.

43. Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy in regard to cottage and local hospitals in relation to the development of district hospitals.

Sir K. Joseph

I expect that the consultations my Department has been undertaking about community hospitals will shortly have reached a stage when I can make my promised statement on their general rôle and function in relation to district general hospitals and other parts of the health services.

45. Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the Government's priorities in the improvement of hospital services nationally, and particularly in the area administered by the Wessex Regional Hospital Board and the Bournemouth and East Dorset Hospital Management Committee.

Mr. Alison

We have asked regional hospital boards to give priority to securing improvements in the services for the elderly, the mentally ill, the mentally handicapped, the younger chronic sick and other long-stay patients; and to improvements in accident and emergency services. The Wessex Regional Hospital Board will have devised its programme of development of the hospital service in the area of the Bournemouth and East Dorset Hospital Management Committee, in the light of these priorities.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the respective waiting time for different types of operation to be performed at hospitals in the Portsmouth area.

Mr. Alison

The length of time persons may have to wait for a surgical operation can vary widely depending on a number of factors including the length of the waiting list and the degree of urgency of the need for treatment. Consequently meaningful information about waiting times is not available.