§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many days during the last three months the Accident and Emergency Department at the Prince of Wales Hospital, London, N.17 has been closed; and if he will make a staetment as to the reasons for the closures.
§ Mr. MoyleDuring the period 1st March to 31st May 1978 the Department closed on 16 occasions for part or the whole of a day. The closures were due to a number of reasons: structural alterations to the Department, repairs to an operating theatre and X-ray equipment, the Department being disinfected, no beds being available, and staff shortages caused by sickness, annual or study leave and recruitment difficulties. While the Department was closed patients were diverted to nearby hospitals.