§ Mr. Walter Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that there is no district general hospital in the area of the Derbyshire Area Health Authority, if she will make the development of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary as a district general hospital a regional priority; and when such development will take place.
§ Dr. OwenDerbyshire Royal Infirmary, together with other hospitals in Derby, fulfils the functions of a district general hospital. Between 1969 and 1973 the former Sheffield Regional Hospital Board incurred capital expenditure of £3.5 million on the recently commissioned phase 1 of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and on associated small schemes. All health authorities are, at my right hon. Friend's request, undertaking a review of their plans and priorities for developing their services. Until this has been completed by the Derbyshire AHA and the Trent RHA, I am unable to say when further development of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary will take place.