§ 46. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Health if he will state the present and average numbers of elderly people on the waiting list for beds in Salford hospitals, giving the numbers of men and women separately, and also the numbers of additional staff needed at the two Salford hospitals at present understaffed.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Edith Pitt)At 1st June, one man and 20 women were on the geriatric waiting list for direct admission to Hope and Ladywell Hospitals; the monthly average for the past year was 3–4 men and 28–29 women. 663 Staff is now being recruited for 10 additional geriatric beds. Staff for the existing 222 is reasonably adequate.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the hon. Lady aware that last week-end an elderly Salford lady who had a stroke was left without attendance all the week-end whole doctors tried desperately to get her into hospital, and that this sort of thing frequently happens? In this case, the lady concerned had no one to look after her except a 76-year-old invalid? Will the hon. Lady do something to stop this lack of care for old people and ensure that there are beds for them when they desperately need them?
§ Miss PittI was not, of course, aware of the particular case to which the hon. Gentleman refers. If he will send me details, I will look into it. In fact, priority is generally given to urgent cases. I shall not comment further without knowledge of the particular instance.