HC Deb 08 December 1969 vol 793 cc12-3W
Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if full X-ray facilities are now available at all Medway towns hospitals.

Dr. John Dunwoody

Adequate facilities are now available at all these hospitals.

Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present nursing staff at each hospital in the Medway towns and how this compares with current establishment.

Dr. John Dunwoody

The following are the figures:

Hospital Nursing staff (whole-time equivalent) in post on 31 October 1969 Nursing staff establishment
All Saints' Hospital, Chatham 261¼ 272¾
St Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester 184¾ 175¼
Medway Hospital, Gillingham 96¾ 81¼
St. William's Hospital, Rochester 41¼ 32¼
Canada House
Maternity Home, Gillingham 23 22¾

Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the consultant establishment at the Medway towns hospitals is complete; and at which hospitals and in what specialised fields there are shortages.

Dr. John Dunwoody

I am informed that there are the following vacancies:

(a) One new post in the Accident and Emergency Department at the Medway Hospital.

(b) Two posts in General Medicine, with an interest in chest diseases; of these, one is for:

  • Sheppey General Hospital,
  • Medway Hospital,
  • Keycol Hill Hospital;
and the other is for:
  • All Saints Hospital, Chatham.
  • Rochester Chest Clinic,
  • Hospitals in the Central Kent Group.

(c) Two posts in radiology; of these, one is for:

  • Sheppey General Hospital,
  • St. Bartholomew's Hospital,
  • Keycol Hill Hospital,
  • Gravesend and North Kent Hospital;
and the other is for:
  • Sheppey General Hospital,
  • Medway Hospital,
  • Hospitals in the Central Kent Group.

Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the establishment for junior medical staff in all Medway hospitals is filled; how many vacancies exist; and what steps are being taken to fill them.

Dr. John Dunwoody

I am informed that there are four senior house officer vacancies. All are newly-created posts, and they are currently being advertised.

Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now authorise the increase in nursing establishment for hospitals in the Medway towns which has been submitted to him for approval by the regional hospital board.

Dr. John Dunwoody

The nursing staff establishment for the Medway and Gravesend Hospital Management Committee group is determined by the regional hospital board, which does not require my right hon. Friend's approval for it.