§ Mr. Simon Mahonasked the Minister of Health if there is a shortage of consultants on the surgical side at Bootle General Hospital; to what extent the need for such consultants is increasing by virtue of the closing of the Liverpool Stanley Hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe illness and death of a consultant have caused some difficulty at the Bootle Hospital. Cover has been provided by consultants from adjoining hospitals. The number of patients at the hospital has increased but it is not clear that this results from the closing of the Liverpool Stanley Hospital. The Regional Hospital Board are currently reviewing the needs for consultant sessions in this area.