§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consultation has taken place on the proposed closure of the Golden Square hospital for ear, nose and throat services; if he has yet given his approval for this closure; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what plans he has to accommodate patients and staff of the Royal National throat, nose and ear hospital in Golden Square if the closure of this hospital takes place in three months' time.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeBloomsbury health authority issued a consultative document on 9 November on the proposed closure in February 1985 of the Golden Square branch of the Royal national throat, nose and ear hospital and the consolidation of the hospital's services in the Gray's Inn Road branch. The concentration of services on one site in Gray's Inn road was first proposed by the former board of governors of the RNTNE and the outline proposal was included in Bloomsbury health authority's November 1983 and February 1984 consultative documents on the district's overall strategy. The latest document sets out the authority's detailed proposals for accommodating services at Gray's Inn road and the staffing implications of the proposal. Because the proposals are currently the subject of consultation the question of my right hon. Friend's involvement does not yet arise.