§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make a statement about future hospital development in the Cannock Chase district.
§ Mr. MoyleI understand that proposals for future hospital development in Cannock will be included in the imminent 10 year strategic plan of the West Midlands regional health authority. Additionally, the Staffordshire area health auth-32W ority is going ahead with the conversion of the former White Lodge psychiatric unit to a community unit for up to 14 mentally handicapped people; minor building alterations are almost complete and the unit should be in operation in the near future. The AHA has also reached agreement with the Staffordshire county council to provide, through joint finance, a 40-place day unit for the elderly at Chase hospital; work on this project should start in the near future.