§ 12. Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will review the proposals for the additions to Crawley Hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleConstruction of phase III, which will provide additional beds and other services in support of the existing accident and emergency department, is due to start within the next few months.
§ Mr. HordernIs the Minister aware that there is an acute shortage of nurses at Crawley Hospital, and is he aware, further, that the Government propose to expand the number of passengers at Gatwick Airport from 6 million to 24 million? In view of the fact that the facilities at Crawley Hospital are already grossly inadequate, does not phase III need to be expanded and consolidated still further?
§ Mr. MoyleThere is a longer-term plan to provide further beds after the completion of phase III which is being considered by the area and regional health authorities. It is true that there was a shortage of nurses in the earlier part of this year. That was due to a misunderstanding of some local policies. But that has now been rectified—at least, it was last week—and by the time phase III comes into operation there will be a new nurse training school which should provide all the nurses needed by the hospital.