HC Deb 05 May 1978 vol 949 cc311-2W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the rationalisation of hospital services in the Greenwich and Bexley area.

Mr. Ennals

In December 1977 I told the health authorities that I was unwilling to agree to the closure of St. Nicholas Hospital and I asked them to consider the practicality of transferring services from the Memorial Hospital and the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies to other hospitals in the area. I have now considered the views of the health authorities on these proposals, together with the comments of the community health council, local authorities, staff interests and other bodies and individuals.

I have agreed that St. Nicholas Hospital should become a community hospital providing out-patient and minor casualty facilities; theatre and supporting services for minor surgery with about 20 beds; 20–25 general practitioner medical beds; and the present 41 geriatric beds with perhaps the addition of some further geriatric beds. Consideration should also be given to the establishment of a psycho-geriatric day centre.

I accept that it would not be right to close the Memorial Hospital.

I agree with the South-East Thames Regional Health Authority that the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies should be closed, the service being transferred to Greenwich District Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup. I accept, however, that the implementation of this decision must depend on the provision of the alternative facilities and I leave it to the Greenwich and Bexley Area Health Authority, in consultation with the regional health authority and my Department, to determine when the closure can take place.

The regional health authority has proposed that The Gables should be closed and its service provided by a re-arrangement of geriatric beds in the area. The area health authority had previously envisaged that the service would be transferred to the Eltham and Mottingham Hospital. The regional health authority also proposed the closure of the outpatient department at the Eltham and Mottingham Hospital in addition to the closure of the in-patient facilities to which I have already agreed. There has been no local consultation on this proposal and before I take any decision on it my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Health and Social Security will visit these two hospitals to receive on my behalf the views of the community health council, local authorities and representatives of the staff.