§ Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if there has been any change in the timetable for the planned expansion of Derriford hospital, Plymouth, announced by his Department in February, especially with regard to the start date;
(2) if he will make a statement about the prospects for a maternity unit at Derriford hospital.
§ Mrs. Currie[pursuant to her reply, 20 July 1987]: I understand that South Western regional health authority has reviewed the timing of its capital programme in the light of progress on projects already under construction. The phase II expansion to Derriford hospital has been rescheduled for start on site in March 1989 and completion in November 1992 instead of April 1988 and March 1992 respectively.
The adjustments to the programme have been made in such a way that should the position on the programme change, the originally proposed start date for the phase H scheme could be reinstated.
Both the region and the district health authority are committed to the provision of a new maternity unit at Derriford subject to the outcome of detailed planning work now under way and the outcome of an approval in principle submission to the Department, scheduled for submission in September 1987. If approved present plans would mean a start on site in November 1990 and completion in February 1993.