§ 60. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to a resolution, of which a copy has been sent to him, of the local medical committee for the courts of London, expressing concern that many sick people are being turned away by the hospitals; and what action he is taking to remedy this unsatisfactory state of affairs.
§ Mr. BevanYes. I am satisfied that hospital boards are doing everything possible to meet the need.
§ 66. Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Health why, in view of the large number of cases awaiting admission to the non-mental hospitals under the Leeds Regional Hospital Board, there were over 3,600 135W unoccupied beds on 31st December, 1948, and 788 fewer beds occupied than on 30th June, 1948; to what extent the nursing staff declined during this period; and what are the immediate prospects of remedying the situation and the prospects for the end of 1949.
§ Mr. BevanThe number of empty beds is due to the need for a working margin, and the variation to seasonal changes. The number of nurses did not decline but increased by nine per cent.
§ 68. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Minister of Health if the review has been completed of the waiting lists of hospitals in respect of each of the London Regional Hospital Boards; and if he will now publish a list showing the numbers of patients on each list as at the last convenient date.