§ Mr. Corfieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that three wards at Frenchay Hospital are being closed, with the loss of some 60 beds, as a result of shortage of nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on his proposals for increasing recruitment of nurses in this area.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe Frenchay Hospital Management Committee decided to close three wards at Frenchay Hospital because of a shortage of trained nursing staff able to work in the evenings, at night and at the weekend: a plastic surgery ward and a thoracic surgery ward each of 20 beds have already been closed and a chronic sick ward of 20 beds is being closed as beds become vacant. The Hospital Management Committee are mounting an intensive advertising campaign in the local and national Press for the recruitment of trained nurses and are considering the provision of transport for nurses living in areas where public transport is limited.
As the hon. Member will know I have recently mounted a national recruiting campaign which I hope will especially help hospitals experiencing staffing difficulties.