§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware of the inadequate level of hospital provision in Nottinghamshire and of the problem of recruiting and retaining nursing staff; what action he is taking in Nottinghamshire to resolve these problems; and what further plans he has for using the recommendations of the Briggs Report to this end.
§ Mr. AlisonYes. The regional hospital board, with my right hon. Friend's approval, is implementing plans for a major expansion of hospital services serving Nottinghamshire. Nursing staff has been considerably increased in the past three years in step with these developments and the regional hospital board is taking action to improve the situation in some specialties where there are still shortages.
Consultations have been taking place on the recommendations of the Briggs Committee and my right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement before long.