§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what organisations have written and made representations against cuts in the National Health Service in Liverpool.
§ Mr. MoyleMy right hon. Friend has received representations from:
- Toxteth Constituency Labour Party
- Liverpool Central and Southern Community Health Council
- Royal College of Nursing (Liverpool Centre Branch)
- Liverpool Local Medical Committee
- National Union of Public Employees
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the recent meeting between the Minister of State and a deputation from the National Union of Public Employees concerning cuts in the National Health Service in Liverpool.
§ Mr. MoyleMy meeting on 15th July with a deputation from the National Union of Public Employees followed one the previous day with representatives of the rest of the Staff Side of the Standing114W Area Joint Conference for the Liverpool health area. The two deputations explained to me the concern felt by staff about the effect on health services and jobs of current financial problems in the Liverpool area, and about the operation of procedures for consulting them on the area health authority's plans for providing health services within the available resources. I undertook to consider these points, as well as a proposal from one of the deputations that an inquiry should be set up urgently to consider the problems they had raised.
I have now discussed this matter with the Chairman of the Mersey Regional Health Authority, who has suggested that it would be desirable for these difficulties to be the subject of an urgent inquiry at regional level. I understand that the Staff Side have now expressed agreement in principle with this proposal and will be meeting the regional health authority to discuss the possible composition and terms of reference of the inquiry.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest proposals for cuts in services at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, the Liverpool Royal Southern Hospital, the David Lewis Northern Hospital and the St. Pauls Eye Hospital; and if he has made a decision on the proposals.
§ Mr. MoyleMy right hon. Friend has received no such proposals; changes in services provided locally would not normally be referred to him for a decision except under the procedure which applies when the closure of a hospital is opposed by a community health council.