Westwood Hospital (Hansard, 6 February 1992)

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has about the plans to build a 50-bed bungalow-type hospital in the grounds of Westwood hospital.
286W

§ Mr. Dorrell
[holding answer 28 January 1992]: There are no such plans. I understand that Bradford health authority is consulting Bradford community health council about its plans for the development of local services for people with learning disabilities.

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what analysis he has received of local opinion on the proposal to close Westwood hospital in Bradford; if he will summarise the opinion; and if he will place copies of the analysis in the Library.

§ Mr. Dorrell
[holding answer 28 January 1992]: We have received no analysis of local opinion regarding the closure of Westwood hospital.
Bradford health authority is currently consulting Bradford community health council about its plans for developing services for people with learning disabilities.

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Bradford Health announced its proposal to close Westwood hospital in Bradford; over what period the local community was consulted about the proposal; what consideration he has given to the proposal; and when he intends to announce whether he approves the closure proposal.

§ Mr. Dorrell
[holding answer 28 January 1992] : Bradford health authority conducted a full public consultation between August and November 1990 on their proposals for the development of services for people with learning disabilities including the future role of Westwood hospital. These proposals have not been referred to Ministers.

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake to visit Westwood hospital, Bradford, to meet the local community before reaching a decision on the future of the hospital.

§ Mr. Dorrell
[holding answer 28 January 1992] : No such proposal has been referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for a decision.

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what public consultation has been conducted in Bradford over the proposal to close Westwood hospital; and what representations he has received about the consultation process.

§ Mr. Dorrell
[holding answer 28 January 1992] : Bradford health conducted a full public consultation between August and November 1990 on its proposals for the development of services for people with learning disabilities including the future role of Westwood hospital. They are now consulting Bradford community health council for the next phase of these plans. We have received a number of representations about Westwood hospital from the hon. Members for Bradford, West and for Bradford, South (Mr Cryer) and a number of local residents.

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will describe the normal procedure applied to any proposal to close a hospital; and the circumstances in which he is required to approve a proposal to close a hospital; and whether this normal procedure has been applied to the proposal by Bradford Health to close Westwood hospital.
287W

§ Mr. Dorrell
[holding answer 28 January 1992] : The procedure for the closure of hospitals is contained in the Community Health Councils Regulations 1985 (as amended). The regulations provide for formal local consultation, including the appropriate community health council, (CHC) for any significant change in hospital and community health services. If local agreement cannot be achieved, the proposals must be referred to the regional health authority who may reject them or forward them for consideration by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. In the case of services for people with learning disabilities, Bradford health authority has confirmed that it will consult with the CHC and other interested parties on its proposals including final closure and disposal of the hospital.