HC Deb 14 February 1978 vol 944 cc113-4W
Sir G. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the survey "The Elderly at Home", and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ennals

The survey "The Elderly at Home", carried out by Mrs. Audrey Hunt of the Office of Population, Censuses, and Surveys on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Security, is published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

The purpose of the survey was to investigate the social and other circumstances of elderly people living in the ing wards in the Hull Maternity Hospital; if the proposed closure of the Townend Maternity Hospital, Hull, is implemented.

Mr. Moyle

The estimated cost is £25,000.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present number of beds available in general practitioners maternity units in the Hull Maternity Hospital and the Townend Maternity Home; and how many will be available if the Townend Maternity Home is closed.

Mr. Moyle

There are at present 17 general practitioner beds in the Townend Maternity Home and none at Hull Maternity Hospital. The plan is to provide about 12 general practitioner beds at Hull Maternity Hospital.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the size of the present gynaecological and obstetrics waiting lists at the Hull Hospital for Women, the Hull Maternity Hospital and the Hull Royal Infirmary (Sutton); and what has been the absolute percentage increase or decrease over the past three years to the nearest convenient date.

Mr. Moyle

There is no waiting list in obstetrics. Information on the gynaecological waiting list is as follows:

community. The topics covered are: demographic characteristics of elderly people; mobility, health, and ability to look after themselves; employment; income and regular outgoings; social contacts; transport and accessibility; interests, hobbies and attitudes to life.

The findings of the survey will be taken into account in the preparation of the White Paper on the elderly which the Government plan to publish in 1979. I welcome this survey as providing a useful factual contribution to the debate.