§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that the Medway hospitals have no money for necessary staff increases, and that the morale of the existing staff is low, if she will take steps as a matter of urgency designed to improve the situation.
§ Dr. OwenThe staffing and financing of hospitals in Medway is the responsibility of the Kent Area Health Authority and the South-East Thames Regional Health Authority which they exercise within the limits of the allocations of finance made to them by central Government. I have no reason to believe that, in disposing of their resources, these authorities are in any way discriminating against the Medway hospitals.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps she is taking to ensure that the necessary money is available for essential building maintenance and repairs to eqipment in hospitals in the Medway towns.
§ Dr. OwenThe Kent Area Health Authority is responsible for the mainten
Health District 31 December 1973 as a percentage 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 of 1969 Medway … … 1,748 1,693 1,361 1,265 1,349 74.91
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent she is increasing the number of beds in hospitals in the Medway towns; and when the increase will take place.
§ Dr. OwenThe provision of health services in the Medway area is the responsibility in the first instance of the South-East Thames Regional Health Authority. The requirements of all parts of the region are kept under review by the authority which assures me that the particular needs of Medway will not be overlooked, although the rate of any expansion in the services there must depend on the resources available to the authority and the demands made upon them.
248Wance of buildings and the repair of equipment in hospitals in the Medway towns. It is for the authority to determine how best to carry out this responsibility within the limits of the resources placed at its disposal.