§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had concerning the future of the cardiac department at King's College hospital, South London; and if he will make extra funds available to the department.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 18 February 1980, c. 91–2]: A recent report on cardiac services by a study group of the London health planning consortium recommends that the King's College hospital unit should become one of 12 adult cardiac centres serving the 599W Thames regions instead of 17 as at present. The report notes that the unit is working at or near its capacity and that its expansion to the size recommended must await the planned development of the hospital, which will call for a considerable capital investment.
The report is out for consultation—decisions on its recommendations will not be taken until the views of those consulted have been considered.
The funding of the unit at King's College hospital is the responsibility of the South-East Thames regional health authority and the commissioners for the Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham health area.