HC Deb 14 February 1983 vol 37 cc30-1W
Mr. Ernie Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much money has been withdrawn from health services in inner London since May 1979; how many beds have been closed; and what reduction there has been in total staff, ancillary staff, nursing staff and medical staff;

(2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which job losses in Hackney brought about by closure of National Health Service premises will affect the local economy;

(3) what allowance for inflation in regional specialties in City and Hackney District has been made since May 1979;

(4) in view of the proposed closure of St. Leonard's hospital in Hoxton, if he will make additional resources available to ensure that there is a complementary increase in the provision of general practitioners in Hackney;

(5) how much money has been spent on the upgrading and provision of new facilities at St. Leonard's hospital, Hoxton, in the past 10 years;

(6) if he will ensure that his Department's main programme does not result in disadvantage for inner city areas such as Hackney.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Ernie Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what effect the reduction in the funds available to the medical schools has had on the National Health Service in inner London.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

In November 1982—in Cmnd. 8744—the Government concluded that, on the evidence then available, the effects on clinical services of the reduction in university funded medical posts are likely to be marginal. As far as we know, the position in London was no different from that in the country as a whole, but we await with interest the results, due to be published in March, for the latest survey being undertaken jointly by the National Association of Health Authorities and the University Hospital Association.