§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on progress in planning the new Border Hospital, current waiting lists for surgery at Peel Hospital, and the need for further interim expenditure at Peel Hospital.
§ Mr. William RossThe schedules of accommodation and brief for the new Borders Hospital have now been prepared and a project team is about to start on the next stage of planning. I understand that at 26th July there were 148 patients waiting for admission to surgical wards at Peel Hospital who had never had the offer of a bed. The health board has plans to improve the wards at Peel Hospital and is presently considering how these plans can be implemented.