§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will refer the determination of the future of Solihull hospital to an independent tribunal; and if he will make a statement; [18779]
(2) if he will meet a delegation from the parliamentary constituency of Meriden to discuss the future of Solihull hospital as a stand-alone trust hospital. [18783]
§ Mr. HoramThe proposal to establish Solihull district general hospital as a national health service trust has already been considered thoroughly and rejected. The proposal to dissolve Birmingham Heartlands NHS trust and to establish a new NHS trust with Solihull hospital is still a matter for public consultation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make his decision about the future of Solihull hospital after careful consideration of the outcome of consultation, taking into account all the views expressed. I am, of course, willing to meet my hon. Friend and a delegation from his constituency and to listen to their views.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether Solihull hospital could provide accident and emergency facilities on a 24-hour basis with full consultant, medical and support facilities if the hospital merged with Birmingham Heartlands hospital. [18781]
§ Mr. HoramThis issue is being considered as part of the consultation exercise currently under way on the proposal to merge Solihull district general hospital and Birmingham Heartlands NHS trust.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will postpone the final date of the consultation period on the proposals for the future of Solihull hospital to allow fresh proposals to be considered. [18780]
§ Mr. HoramNo. If my hon. Friend has any comments to make in response to the consultation exercise I would ask that he forward these to the West Midlands regional health authority as a matter of urgency.
288W
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received during the independent consulting period about the role of Heartlands hospital in Birmingham in respect of the proposed merger with Solihull hospital. [18778]
§ Mr. HoramAll representations about the proposed merger between Solihull district general hospital and Birmingham Heartlands National Health Service trust have been referred to the West Midlands regional health authority, which is conducting the public consultation exercise on this proposal. Once the exercise is concluded, the regional health authority will report the results to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and we will give careful consideration to the views expressed.