§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many small maternity units, particularly in rural areas, have been closed in each of the past five years; if he will list these by health board area; and what was the total number of maternity beds, affected in each year, also by health hoard area.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythOnly one maternity hospital has been closed in the past five years, Buckreddan maternity hospital, Kilwinning. The 26 beds were transferred to the Ayrshire central hospital when accommodation became available there, on transfer of services to the New Crosshouse hospital.
Details are held centrally only for complete hospital closures. Records on partial closures of hospitals, or where there has been a change of use, are not available.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many small maternity units, particularly in rural areas, are currently subject to formal health board proposals for closure; and if he will list these numbers by health board area and indicate the number of maternity beds involved in each area.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMy right hon. and learned Friend is involved in hospital closures or major changes of use only when health boards submit formal applications to him. At present no such applications are outstanding.