§ Mr. Norman Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what meetings have taken place between her Ministers and local consultants on the closure of the pay bed unit at Preston Royal Infirmary; and whether she will publish the dates of such meetings.
§ Dr. Owen:None. As I stated in my letter to the BMA last November, I think this problem can be best resolved by local discussions.
§ Mr. Norman Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will make a statement on the closure of the pay bed unit at Preston Royal Infirmary.
§ Dr. Owen:The unit was closed in June 1974 because of lack of suitable nursing staff. The option which was considered was to transfer temporarily some pay beds to another hospital. The staffing position has, I gather, now improved, and informal consultations with staff interests took place in December and January. Discussions with the medical staff were complicated by the consultants' industrial dispute, but three consultant representatives have now been nominated to take part in discussions with the Chairman and officers of the Lancashire Area Health Authority.