HC Deb 21 February 1979 vol 963 cc432-3
Mr. Edward Gardner

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the indefinite closure of Lytham hospital, in my constituency, because of a shortage of nurses. The closing of a hospital such as Lytham hospital is something more than a matter of local distress and concern. It is another significant and alarming sign of the move by the Health Service towards a breakdown. A growing number of nurses are becoming exhausted by the strains imposed by the present industrial dispute. I am concerned—as, indeed, are my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Miscampbell), my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) and my hon. Friend the Member for North Fylde (Mr. Clegg)—at the growing number of nurses who are having to give up their work because of sickness.

Last week, 16 per cent. of the nurses in the area had to go off work because of sickness. I am told that today the number of nurses available for duty has been reduced by 18 per cent. Nurses in the area—and, indeed, throughout the country—are being asked to shoulder—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. and learned Member for South Fylde (Mr. Gardner) will not, I know, seek to make now the speech that he would make if I were to grant the application.

Mr. Gardner

I was trying to put before you, Mr. Speaker, arguments upon which I rely in seeking to persuade you of the urgency of this matter.

One of the vital points that I seek to make is that the number of sick nurses is growing. That is a fact, and we have to face it. I was merely giving figures. I do not intend to go beyond that except, by your leave, Mr. Speaker, to say that these nurses have been working 12 or more hours a day, they have been giving up their free days, and they have been helping with work which they were never intended to do. They have been doing everything that good will, compassion and personal sacrifice can achieve to make sure that their patients are properly cared for.

Other hospitals in the area are suffering such a shortage of nurses, because of illness, that urgent operations cannot take place. [Interruption.] I hope that I may have your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, to say, finally, that in one of these hospitals an old-age pensioner of 78 years had his operation cancelled two days ago. He is reported to have cried out "For God's sake, they should help me, I'm in agony." Nobody could help him, and today he is still awaiting relief.

With examples of that kind before us, Mr. Speaker, and the present state of the Health Service, I submit that this is a matter for urgent debate.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and learned Member gave me notice before 12 o'clock this morning that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believed should have urgent consideration, namely, the indefinite closure of Lytham hospital because of a shortage of nurses. As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision. I listened with great care to what the hon. and learned Gentleman had to say, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.