§ Mr. Barnettasked the Minister of Health, in view of the facts that some of the hospitals serving the Heywood and Royton constituency have waiting lists of more than two years, and that in one of the hospitals a new ward has been closed after six months in use because of shortage of staff, what steps he will take to improve the situation in this area.
§ Mr. LoughlinNew operating theatres are now under construction at the Bury General Hospital, and at the Oldham District General Hospital where an additional consultant orthopædic surgeon has also been appointed. I am aware that a gynæcological ward at Fairfield General Hospital is not in use; every effort is being made to recruit trained staff.