HL Deb 10 December 1984 vol 458 cc113-4WA
Lord Colwyn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what grounds they would intervene to prevent the closure of the community dental service clinics in the Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton Health Authority District.

Lord Glenarthur

Proposals for the closure of health service facilities originate with health authorities who have a statutory responsibility to consult local interests on any substantial variation in the provision of local health services. If following consultation the local community health council agrees to the proposal, the district health authority may proceed with its plans. If the community health council does not agree and the health authority still wishes to proceed with closure the proposal must be referred to the regional health authority. If the regional health authority supports the closure proposal the matter must then be formally referred to the department for ministerial decision. The Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton Health Authority's proposals for reducing community dental services are covered by this procedure.

Lord Colwyn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many community dental service clinics there were in the Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton District in 1983, and how many there will be after the implementation of the closure proposals.

Lord Glenarthur

There were 10 community dental service clinics in the Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton Health Authority in 1983. There will be six if the health authority's proposals are implemented.

Lord Colwyn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many nursery, primary, secondary and special schools there are in the Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton Health Authority District: and what proportion of each of these categories of school is at present served by the community dental service clinics which are threatened with closure.

Lord Glenarthur

I understand there are two nursery schools, 65 primary schools (11 of which have nursery units), 12 secondary schools and 10 special schools within the Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton Health Authority. Of these, the numbers served by the community dental service clinics which the health authority has proposed closing are: nursery schools (nil); primary schools—17 (26 per cent.); secondary schools—4 (33 per cent.); and special schools—5 (50 per cent.).