§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from Dr. P. V. Barber of Wythenshawe hospital, Manchester, and fellow consultants at the hospital in regard to rationalisation and the deferment of decisions; what reply he is sending to their letter of 15 March; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI have replied to the letter of 15 March from Dr. P. V. Barber and other doctors at Wythenshawe hospital, south Manchester, in which they express concern about the delay in reaching a decision on proposals for rationalising district hospital services currently provided at the Wythenshawe and Withington hospitals. Responsibility for establishing how south Manchester's health needs are to be met in the future is a matter to be decided by that district health authority in conjunction with the North Western regional health authority and taking account of the record level of resources for 1990–91 made available to them by the Government and recently announced. We have no reason to interfere in the local decision-making process, which must clearly take account of the views expressed by all interested parties, including medical opinion at Wythenshawe and Withington hospitals.