§ 81 and 82. Mr. Pentlandasked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that doctors in the Washington area, County 103W Durham, with a practice of 12,000 patients, have been able to obtain only 200 doses of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine for the past month; and what action he proposes to take to improve the position;
(2) if he is aware that the demand for anti-poliomyelitis vaccine in the County of Durham exceeds the supply; and, in view of the opinion of the medical profession that now is the best time for first injections to be given, if he will have further supplies sent there immediately.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAs I have said in reply to recent Questions, I am aware of the steep increase in the demand for vaccination. Very large quantities of vaccine have been issued in recent weeks, and more is being sent to Durham County Council this week. Distribution among the doctors within the county is a matter for the council.
WAITING LISTS AND STAFFED BEDS IN CERTAIN HOSPITAL REGIONS: 1951–1958 (AT 31ST DECEMBER) Hospital Region Waiting Lists 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 Manchester … 60,859 61,027 65,088 61,708 55,002 58,035 55,309 56,772 Liverpool … 18,867 17,584 16,761 13,602 16,001 14,328 14,018 14,337 Leeds … 23,238 22,210 25,125 24,687 20,266 19,113 19,851 21,656 Sheffield … 52,426 60,160 63,626 62,154 55,899 50,453 52,696 51,044 N.W. 43,709 44,144 48,252 41,952 42,207 36,813 38,366 38,404 Metropolitan. Hospital Region Staffed Beds (see note below) 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 Manchester … 42,547 43,264 44,096 44,464 44,414 44,436 44,531 44,124 Liverpool … 23,814 23,838 24,452 24,600 24,755 24,735 24,832 25,116 Leeds … 32,480 33,324 34,214 34,665 34,514 34,375 34,426 34,268 Sheffield … 34,604 35,230 35,891 35,951 36,029 36,024 36,126 36,323 N.W. 39,415 40,279 41,143 41,579 41,603 42,158 42,082 42,153 Metropolitan NOTE: 1951 and 1952 figures exclude staffed beds which were temporarily unavailable