§ Mr. David Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on proposals by the South-West Thames regional health authority to close down in-patient neurology services in Guildford.
§ Mrs. CurrieI understand that, at its meeting in October 1986. the South-West Thames regional health authority considered the outcome of an option appraisal on the future of neurosciences in the region. The Guildford neurological unit forms part of this review.
A fundamental principle proposed and generally supported in the consultation document was that neurology and neurosurgery should be provided in a combined centre; the close contact between the various clinicians was in the interest of both patients and the service as a whole. The authority, in making its decision, was acutely aware of the strength of feeling and counter-argument about Guildford becoming one of the combined centres, but, after careful consideration, supported the case put forward by the independent clinical advisers.
The future pattern of service is based on two combined centres at St. George's hospital, Tooting, and Hurstwood Park neurological centre, Haywards Heath. Each district in the region is expected to have its own out-patient clinic serviced by a consultant neurologist linked to one of those centres, and the Guildford unit would remain in service until the unit at St. George's is provided, probably in the mid-1990s. At that time, formal consultation will be undertaken on the transfer, and, if the local community health council objects, the proposal will then be referred to my right hon. Friend for a final decision.