§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the alternative arrangements to be put into effect to provide National Health Service hospital services for patients in Epping in the event of services being reduced at St. Margaret's hospital.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe announced approval in principle in May this year for a £30 million scheme for the Princess364W Alexandra hospital, Harlow, to develop it as the district general hospital for West Essex and enable improved facilities to be provided for the population of the district, including patients in Epping. The centralisation of acute facilities from the Herts and Essex hospital, Bishops Stortford, and St. Margaret's hospital, Epping, to the Princess Alexandra has been accepted by the local community health council. Services remaining at St. Margaret's, after the redevelopment is complete, will include beds and a day hospital for the elderly and the elderly mentally ill, out-patient clinics and a breast screening unit.