§ 48. Dr. Broughtonasked the Minister of Health how many beds have been closed in Batley General Hospital and in Staincliffe General Hospital, respectively, on account of a shortage of nursing staff.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithOwing to shortage and current sickness among staff 12 beds are closed in Batley General and 70 in Staincliffe General Hospital.
§ Dr. BroughtonIs the hon. Lady aware that some seriously ill patients have been refused admission to these hospitals, and that that difficulty is causing concern in my constituency? Does not she agree that the problem of the shortage of trained nurses is nation-wide, and what does her right hon. Friend propose to do about it?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithCertainly, we need more nurses; but here it was unfortunate that 36 members of the staff were sick, which resulted in 46 beds being closed.