ST PAUL'S EYE HOSPITAL

EDM number 351 in 1991-92, proposed by DN Campbell-Savours on 05/12/1991.

That this House notes the uncertainty surrounding the future of ophthalmic services on Merseyside; believes that the decision by the District Health Authority to fragment the service by closing St Paul's Eye Hospital and dispersing patient services to other hospitals and the decision to break up the nationally reputed Ophthalmic Services team at St Paul's will be detrimental to those people on Merseyside and in other catchment areas who rely on St Paul's experience; believes that calculations done by Liverpool District Health Authority as to the availability of beds under the alternative arrangements proposed clearly indicate that ophthalmic services on Merseyside are to be substantially cut back; believes that underlying the health authority's calculations may be a hidden agenda which includes transferring those in need of treatment to the private sector and one particular private hospital on Merseyside; asks the Liverpool District Health Authority whether it is their intention to use NHS funds to pay for ophthalmic treatment in private hospitals and elsewhere in the private sector; notes that the original proposals agreed with community health councils included retention of an upgraded St Paul's and, if this was not possible, of moving the entire ophthalmic service unit at St Paul's onto a single hospital site; and asks the district health authority to explain what criteria were adopted in making their decision to dismiss this option.

This motion has been signed by a total of 30 MPs.