§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if a decision has has yet been taken on the future of spinal injury services in the South of England; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI am pleased to be able to announce that my Department has now authorised the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital to prepare a216W detailed planning submission for a 20-bed spinal unit at Stanmore.
This is a further important step in improving the spinal injury service and correcting the uneven geographical distribution of provision. I have already authorised the provision of a new 50-bed unit at Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, which is expected to become operational in the early 'eighties. I believe that a further new unit at Stanmore, which can draw on the special expertise of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, will lead to a much more acceptable level of service in the south of England and ease the strain on the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville.
When I have received the hospital's planning submission, I shall make a further statement on the development.