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Norman Lamb:
I am certainly not suggesting that there should be no change. Indeed, I acknowledged in my speech that there is clearly a case for the proposed specialist intensive care unit. I took on board the views of staff who said that it was very difficult to care for
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people with all these different types of needs in the same unit. I accept that, but this debate is about engaging in the process that the Minister wants us to engage in.
Dr. Ladyman: I am glad to hear that, but I would be even more glad to hear the hon. Gentleman say that he still had an open mind about the outcome and that he was prepared to accept that it might be in the best interests of his constituents if Rebecca house did not continue to offer the services that it offers at the moment. He will also have to consider the idea that, if there are to be fewer of these units, the 28-bed unit to which he referred will almost certainly have to be very close to acute services, because of the intense health care that many of the people in these facilities require. The primary consideration in determining the location of that unit will have to be the safety and the health care of those patients, and it might not be appropriate for that type of unit to be in his constituency. It might be much better for his constituentsalthough it would no doubt be more inconvenient for carersfor it to be in Norwich. That is one of the issues that the local population will have to grapple with and talk about in the consultation. The hon. Gentleman will clearly have views about whether the right decision has been made, but we all need to keep an open mind about this.
The national guidance to improve services to which the hon. Gentleman referred includes the national service framework for older people and the national service framework for mental health services. That is the national guidance that his local primary care trust is trying to deliver
The motion having been made after Seven o'clock, and the debate having continued for half an hour, Madam Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
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