§ Mr. McGradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his policy on the maintenance of acute hospital services facility in Down unit of management;
(2) if he accepts the findings of PA Management Consultants in respect of hospital services in Down unit of management which was presented by Down district council to the Department of Health and Social Services.
§ Mr. NeedhamAs the hon. Member knows, decisions on the pattern of hospital services are in the first instance a matter for health and social services boards. I understand, however, that in its area strategic plan for 1987 to 1992, a copy of which is available in the Library, the Eastern board has concluded that it should attempt to maintain acute services at the Down hospital over the current planning period.
§ Mr. McGradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he is prepared to instruct the Eastern health board to make an allocation from the capital budget towards the construction of a new hospital to replace the Down hospital, Downpatrick;
(2) what is his policy on the need for a new hospital building programme in Downpatrick.
§ Mr. NeedhamIt is not for me to instruct boards about the need for specific capital developments in their areas. Boards are responsible for the planning and management of services in their areas and must assess not only the justification for each specific proposal but the priority of such proposals in relation to other demands on resources. Since the replacement of the Down hospital would involve major capital expenditure it would require the approval of the Department of Health and Social Services. The Department, however, has not yet received any formal proposal from the Eastern board for such a capital scheme.