§ 20. Mr. Attewellasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Market Harborough and District Hospital and Nursing Association is faced with closing 4 the maternity unit owing to lack of trained midwives; that the maternity unit is the only source of such service in a wide area, with a department of 15 beds, with only a sister-midwife on the permanent staff, one midwife from a bureau and matron; and what steps he proposes to take to enable this service to continue.
§ Mr. BevanMy attention had not previously been drawn to this hospital's difficulties, of which my hon. Friend has been good enough to send me particulars. I am doing everything I can to help, but there is at present a serious shortage of midwives throughout the country.