§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when Ravenspark hospital will be closed; and what improvement the Scottish Office will have in the closure process. [29008]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 13 May 1996]: Ayrshire and Arran health board's three-month public consultation exercise on the closure of Ravenspark hospital ended on 30 October 1995. I have yet to receive the board's formal proposals for the hospital.
Once I have received any closure proposals from the health board, I shall consider them carefully before making a final decision. I shall need to be convinced of real benefits for patients as a result of any proposals.