§ 18. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what additional facilities will be provided at 477W New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, to meet the needs of patients now attending Cosford Hospital; and what arrangements will be made to help patients travelling from the Cosford area to Wolverhampton after the closure of Cosford Hospital.
§ Mr. MoyleThe additional burden on Wolverhampton health service is expected to be relatively small. The West Midlands Regional Health Authority is not, therefore, proposing any additional facilities in Wolverhampton specifically to meet the needs of those who now look to Cosford Hospital, though money has been allocated for additional staff. The ambulance service is available for patients too ill or disabled to travel by other means; other patients can be helped with travelling expenses if they face financial hardship assessed by supplementary benefit standards.