§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the new geriatric hospital in Coventry, which was completed in January, has yet been brought into use.
§ Dr. OwenA 28-bed ward for psycho-geriatric patients was opened on 5th July and a second 28-bed ward for long-stay geriatric patients was opened on 1st August. Other wards in this 196-bedded unit will be opened progressively but their use is still the subject of consultations with the medical staff concerned and other interests including the community health council.
§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost of the upkeep of the new geriatric hospital 1022W in Coventry while it has been unused for six months through a disagreement between consultants as to its usage.
§ Dr. OwenThe unit was handed over by the contractor in January. Since then the only expenditure on upkeep has been on cleaning. The Coventry Area Health Authority will send me details of the expenditure shortly and I shall then write to my hon. Friend.