§ 30. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to increase the staffs of accident units in hospitals and to improve the position of nurses and junior hospital doctors in order to speed up treatment of urgent cases in understaffed hospitals.
§ Mr. CrossmanAdvice has been given to hospital authorities on the staffing of accident and emergency departments. Concentration of services into major centres will help to improve staffing where deficiencies exist.
§ Mr. RoseIs the Minister aware that the treatment of urgent injury cases often is delayed for a considerable time because of the shortage of staff? This applies in the Manchester area in particular. I should like to thank the Minister for looking into this matter after the rather negative reply which was received some months ago. Would he see that more staff are allocated to these very important units?
§ Mr. CrossmanYes, Sir. I am particularly aware of the pressure on junior staff and the danger of their being moved from duties which may be urgent. I must do something about the matter, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing it to my attention.
§ Mr. PriorIs the Minister aware that hospitals on the periphery are finding it very hard to get staff and that this is resulting in some wards having to be closed? What does he intend to do to help such hospitals to get more staff?
§ Mr. CrossmanThat may well happen, but it still remains true that this year the number of staff in hospitals is greater than ever before, and of course the quality of service is constantly rising.