§ Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many letters he has received since 1 May from members of the public concerning the proposed closure of Ward 2 at Warminster Hospital; and how many are awaiting reply; [46653]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Wiltshire Health Authority concerning the provision of beds for the elderly mentally ill in West Wiltshire; [46671]
(3) when he intends to reply to the letter to him of 22 May from the hon. Member for Westbury concerning Warminster Hospital and beds for the elderly mentally ill in West Wiltshire; [46672]
(4) for what reasons he has declined to meet a delegation from Warminster Town Council, led by the hon. Member for Westbury, to discuss the proposed closure of Ward 2 at Warminster Hospital; [46670]
(5) what representations he has received from (i) general practitioners and (ii) representatives of health workers concerning the proposed closure of Ward 2 at Warminster Hospital and the provision of beds for the elderly mentally ill in West Wiltshire. [46654]
§ Mr. MilburnWe have received eight letters from members of the public concerning the proposed closure of ward 2 at Warminster Hospital. Officials in the South and West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive have responded to them all.
No letters have been received from general practitioners. We have received one letter from a representative of health workers.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be replying to the hon. Member's letter of 22 May 1998 shortly and is giving consideration to the hon. Member's request for a meeting. He has had no discussions with Wiltshire Health Authority concerning the provision of beds for the elderly mentally ill.