§ 43. Mr. Roland Robinsonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the concern of the Blackpool Executive Council and Local Medical Committee with regard to the position of consultant physicians on the staff of the Blackpool and Fylde Hospitals where there is now only one consultant physician available instead of three as approved by the Manchester Regional Board; and whether, in the public interest, he will request the regional board to accelerate action in this matter.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)Yes, Sir. I am informed that an additional part-time 2976 consultant is to be appointed before the end of this month and that he will take up his duties as soon as possible thereafter.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is quite impossible for one consultant to serve this large area, which extends from Fleetwood through Blackpool to Lytham St. Annes and Kirkham, and will she put pressure on the Manchester Regional Board to see that the whole of the vacancies as established are filled before there is a large influx of visitors in the summer holiday season?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI understand that the establishment in the area is three but that there are two vacancies, one of them as a result of sickness. The second vacancy is being filled by the appointment I have just announced. I think that this will go a long way to meet the need in that area.