§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to improve casualty departments in hospitals.
§ Mr. AlisonWe are fully aware of the need for improvements both in premises and staffing. Hospital boards have been asked to aim at faster progress in improving accident and emergency services. My Department is arranging with hospital authorities for the creation of a limited number of consultant posts which will 241W directly improve the services and will provide a basis for study by the Department and the profession, of the best patterns of staffing for this service.