§ 44. Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many wards, treating what particular kinds of patients, have been closed in hospitals in Aberdeen over the last five years; how many beds this represents; and what measures he intends to take to reverse this trend.
Mr. Edward TaylorOne ward of the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was closed in September, 1969 owing to a shortage of nursing staff. This ward of 29 beds normally accommodated genito-urinary patients and 26 beds were made available for this specialty elsewhere in the hospital while it was closed. The regional board has mounted a successful recruitment campaign for nurses, and the ward has been re-opened.