§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the child accident and emergency ward at the Lister hospital to be opened to patients; and if he will make a statement. [32299]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 1 February 2002]: East and North Hertfordshire National Health Service Trust has received additional funding through the reforming emergency care strategy announced last year and is in the process of recruiting five whole time equivalent nurses to staff the paediatric assessment unit at the Lister hospital. The opening of the paediatric assessment unit will be dependent on successful recruitment to these posts.