§ 62. Mr. D. Footasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a ward in the Anglesea Road wing of the Ipswich and East Suffolk Hospital was recently closed owing to lack of nursing staff; how many hospital wards have been closed in England and Wales during the last twelve months for the same reason; and what steps he proposes to take to encourage the recruitment of nurses in East Anglia.
§ Miss PittThe ward was closed because of sickness among trained staff. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.
Recruitment is the responsibility of the employing authorities, but generally I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Boyden) on 4th December.