§ 22. Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the rationalisation of geriatric and paediatric services in Liverpool.
§ Dr. VaughanSo far as I am aware the Liverpool area health authority (teaching) is not proposing any wide-scale rationalisation of geriatric services in the city, and I imagine that the hon. Member has in mind the reduction which has occurred in geriatric facilities at Newsham hospital for reasons of patient safety. I have received letters from three hon. Members and three members of the public about this. The representations received on paediatric services are detailed in replies to a number of questions from the hon. Member, the most recent being on 25 July—[Vol. 989, c.443.] Since then I have received no further letters about proposals for the Myrtle Street branch of the Royal Liverpool children's hospital, although I met a deputation led by my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Steen) on 18 November. But I have had a great many letters, from hon. and right hon. Members and from the general public, about the Heswall branch of that hospital.