Northern Regional Health Authority (Hansard, 27 June 1989)

§ Mr. Bell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he has discussed the future of Middlesbrough and South Cleveland hospitals with the Northern regional health authority; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what agreements have been entered into with the planning authorities for the development of sites at Poole and South Cleveland hospitals in the event of their sale to the private sector; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what discussions have taken place between the Northern regional health authority and the Teesside development corporation concerning the replacement of the Middlesbrough general and South Cleveland hospitals by a new medical complex on Teesside; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what funding he will make available for the construction of a new medical centre on Teesside; over what period of time; when any final decision will be made and by whom; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning the creation of a private health company to run any new medical complex on Teesside; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning the siting of a new medical complex to be built on a site presently containing chemical storage tanks; what feasibility studies in relation to safety have been carried out; by whom and when; and if he will make a statement;
433W
(7) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning the transfer of capital allocations presently earmarked for health schemes in South Tees to a new medical complex on Teesside; and if he will make a statement;
(8) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority for the creation of a private health care sector within any new medical complex on Teesside; and if he will make a statement;
(9) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority for the closure of North Riding infirmary and the transfer of its facilities to a new medical complex on Teesside; and if he will make a statement;
(10) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning alternative funding arrangements in respect of the plant and equipment in any new medical facility on Teesside; and if he will make a statement;
(11) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning a joint development between the regional health authority and college of Durham university concerning a new medical complex on Teesside; and if he will make a statement;
(12) what reports he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning the involvement of management consultants, Richard Ellis Venture Consultants Ltd. and Peat Marwick McLintock in the proposed new scheme for a medical complex on Teesside, and the cost at which the management consultants have been retained, and who is paying; and if he will make a statement;
(13) what representations he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning a proposed new medical complex on Teesside; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
The hon. Member is aware that Northern regional health authority is considering the possibility of a new NHS medical complex in Teeside. The proposal is at an early stage of consideration and its feasibility is currently being appraised. The outcome will be considered in conjunction with the results of a strategic review of the provision of hospital services in South Tees, which is nearing completion. Specialist advice has been commissioned by the Northern RHA from two firms of management consultants, whose fees will be payable by the RHA. No formal proposals have yet been submitted to the Department, but officials are being kept informed as the exercise progresses. Any firm plans that may result from the studies would be aimed at providing a modern, high quality hospital service within the NHS. Such a development would involve rationalisation of existing services, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of care available locally. The proposals would not envisage the closure of existing modern facilities at South Cleveland hospital. Northern RHA is known to be in touch with the various interested parties, including Teeside development corporation and relevant local authorities, but details of such contacts are not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to seek any additional information from the chairman of Northern regional health authority.

§ Mr. Bell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the present National Health Service capital allocations for South Tees; for what they are earmarked; and if he will make a statement.
434W

§ Mr. Freeman
This information is not held centrally. Allocation of resources to South Tees health authority is the responsibility of Northern regional health authority and the hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman for the information.

§ Mr. Bell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority for the sale of land at Poole and south Cleveland hospitals;
(2) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority to sell sites that the Northern region considers to be surplus to requirements, including land at Middlesbrough maternity hospital, south Cleveland and Poole hospitals; what approvals are required for such sales; when approval is likely to be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what proposals he has received from the Northern regional health authority concerning estate rationalisation within the South Tees area health authority; how many surplus sites are proposed to be sold; what is proposed to happen to the funds; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
We have received no proposals from Northern regional health authority. Once NHS sites are declared surplus to requirements by health authorities they may be disposed of in accordance with the procedures set out in the NHS handbook on land transactions and the proceeds retained locally.

§ Mr. Bell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the last new facilities were opened at south Cleveland hospital; by whom; and what reasons have been advanced by the Northern regional health authority to have these closed and removed to a new medical complex on Teesside.

§ Mr. Freeman
The new maternity unit was officially opened by HRH The Princess of Wales on 6 October 1988. We are not aware of there being any intention to close or transfer this facility.