HC Deb 17 July 1980 vol 988 cc696-7W
Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will investigate complaints that important heart surgery operations are not being performed in West Yorkshire hospitals due to lack of staff to undertake post-operative care;

(2) what measures are being taken to recruit more staff to undertake postoperative care following heart surgery in the West Yorkshire area.

Dr. Vaughan

This is a matter for the Leeds area health authority (teaching) but I am aware that, because of a shortage of nursing staff, it has been necessary to postpone a number of the less urgent cardiac operations at the Leeds general infirmary. The AHA(T) has the matter under close review and has mounted a campaign to recruit suitable nursing staff for the intensive care unit.