§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what proposals he has received from the North-West Thames regional health authority in relation to West Hendon hospital; and what will be the effect on patients and staff at the hospital if their proposals are agreed by him;
(2) what are the expenditure limits placed on the Barnet district health authority and the North-West Thames regional health authority for 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86 respectively; and what is the estimated effect of each on manpower in the respective authorities.
(3) if he has received any proposals regarding the future of Hendon cottage hospital and Finchley memorial hospital from the Barnet district health authority or the North-West Thames regional health authority;
54W(4) what representations he has received from hon. or right hon. Members regarding the proposal to close West Hendon hospital and the future of Hendon cottage hospital and Finchley memorial hospital.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe proposals for the closure of West Hendon hospital and the change of use of 21 beds at Hendon district hospital made by Barnet health authority as part of its plans to streamline acute services within the district were approved by Ministers earlier this month. The patients in West Hendon hospital will be moved to upgraded accommodation in Colindale hospital and to the vacated beds in Hendon district hospital. The staff concerned will be employed elsewhere in the district and compulsory redundancies are not anticipated. No formal proposals have been received in relation to Finchley memorial hospital.
We have received representations about the proposals from my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, North (Mr. Gorst) and from my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Thomas), and have responded explaining why the proposals were approved. In relation to expenditure, North-West Thames regional health authority's cash limit for 1983–84 is £655,440,000. Allocations for future years have yet to be decided. The level of allocation made to Barnet health authority is for the regional health authority to determine, within the broad framework of financial policy laid down centrally.
Finally, in relation to manpower, the North-West Thames regional health authority's manpower target for 31 March 1984 has been settled at 58,626 whole time equivalent staff, a reduction of 1,000 on the number in post at 31 March 1983. Setting targets for individual districts within the region is the responsibility of the regional health authority.