Mr. SiliarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the management structure at Lennox Castle hospital in November 1988; how many persons were in each post; and if he will indicate the length of service of each person in the most senior posts;
(2) when the management structure at Lennox Castle hospital was last reviewed by Greater Glasgow health board.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe senior management structure at Lennox Castle on 1 November 1988 comprised a sector administrator, a physician superintendent and a director of nursing services. The post holders had been in post for six months, one month and six years respectively.
This has now been superseded by new arrangements which were the subject of discussion by Greater Glasgow health board on 24 January 1989. The new management structure gives overall responsibility for all services in the mental handicap sector to a single person, the sector manager. He leads a management team of support services manager, nursing services manager and clinical services manager. That team will be supported by a development officer, personnel manager and management accountant. Of these seven posts, five appointments have now been made, including that of sector manager.
§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the principal findings of the Mental Welfare Commission report on conditions at Lennox Castle hospital.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythFollowing a visit to four of the wards at Lennox Castle hospital on 9 December, the560W commission informed Greater Glasgow health board of a number of points of concern. Details of these concerns are matters between the commission and the health board and have been the subject of discussion between them.
Mr. SiliarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received over the past five years from Greater Glasgow health board asking for substantial additional expenditure to be spent on Lennox Castle hospital.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe board has included bids for expenditure at Lennox Castle in its annual capital plans since 1986 and made a separate representation in 1986 for additional resources. As a result upgrading of wards and other works have taken place at a cost of £3.8 million including a new 24-bed intensive care unit opened in June 1988. Moreover, I announced on 23 January 1989 my approval to the board's plans to spend £4.56 million on the redevelopment of Lennox Castle hospital.
Mr. SiliarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which committee or sub-committee of Greater Glasgow health board has a direct responsibility for oversight of Lennox Castle hospital.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythOverall responsibility for the planning and quality of service provided in all the hospitals administered by Greater Glasgow health board rests with the board's policy and planning committee. Direct responsibility for oversight of the hospital rests with the management of the mental health unit.