§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reductions in staff have taken place at each of the hospitals in the Medway towns in 1968; and what are the categories of staff in which reductions have been made or are contemplated.
§ Mr. EnnalsReductions since the beginning of 1968 have been as follows:
All Saints' Hospital, Chatham 15 St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester 15 Medway Hospital, Gillingham 12 St. William's Hospital, Rochester 6 Canada House Maternity Home, Gillingham 0 The nursing and ward orderly staff are the only categories affected and the reductions have been achieved by normal wastage.
§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give instructions to the Medway and Gravesend Hospital Management Committee to keep the Medway townspeople informed of future staff reduction or reorganisation likely to affect the service to patients adversely, through the local press.
§ Mr. EnnalsI am sure that the Hospital Management Committee will bear in mind the need to keep the local public informed of any important changes in the organisation of hospital services in the area if such changes should arise.