HC Deb 22 July 1954 vol 530 c1551
25. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital beds are unusable through shortage of nursing and other staff in each regional board area.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Sparks

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any improvement in this matter in recent years?

Mr. Macleod

I think this is another question. I have given only the details at the present time, and if the hon. Member would like a comparison perhaps he would put a Question on the Order Paper.

Following is the information:

The numbers of beds unused for lack of staff in both teaching and non-teaching hospitals at 31st December, 1953, were:

Newcastle-upon-Tyne 276
Leeds 728
Sheffield 956
East Anglian 481
N.W. Metropolitan 1,857
N.E. Metropolitan 1,716
S.E. Metropolitan 5,172
S.W. Metropolitan 1,997
Oxford 480
South Western 591
Welsh 442
Birmingham 2,175
Manchester 1,729
Liverpool 191
Total 18,791