§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospitals have closed since April 1991.
Lord James Douglas HamiltonThirty-four hospitals have closed in Scotland since April 1991.
Since that time, however, the number of patients treated in hospital has increased by 14.1 per cent.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for how many accident and emergency departments there are currently proposals for closure.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMinisterial approval has been given for the accident and emergency departments at Dundee royal infirmary and the Royal infirmary of Edinburgh to close.
Accident and emergency services will transfer to Ninewells hospital from the functionally unsuitable accommodation at Dundee royal infirmary when that hospital closes. In Edinburgh, most of the royal infirmary will close and services, including accident and emergency services, will transfer to the new royal infirmary to be built in the south-east of the city.
I understand that Ayrshire and Arran health board is currently consulting on options for alterations to acute hospital provision. One of the options proposed would involve the transfer of accident and emergency services from Ayr hospital to Crosshouse hospital, Kilmarnock. Ministers look forward to seeing the board's final proposals in due course.