HC Deb 25 November 1975 vol 901 cc148-9W
Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that there are long lists of patients waiting for operations and treatment and empty wards due to lack of nurses, if she will take steps to help those nurses who have qualified to find employment and thus relieve the present situation.

Mr. Meacher

There are many reasons for the length of waiting lists and closures of wards from time to time. I am aware that more newly qualified nurses than before are having to seek permanent posts in hospitals other than those in which they are trained. Area and regional health authorities are working closely together to assist these nurses to find posts. A number of regions have set up bureaux to which vacancies are notified. The Department would of course be ready to co-ordinate action nationally should this be necessary, but I have no evidence at present that this is so.

Regional Health Authorities/Boards of Governors/Totals Pay beds currently approved(November 1975) Amenity bedsauthorised at31st December1974 All beds(NHS, Pay and Amenity beds)*Average daily available 1974
Northern … 169 222 27,752
Yorkshire … 302 311 32,117
Trent … 247 267 32,307
East Anglia … 156 66 13,142
North-West Thames … 461 197 32,377
North-East Thames … 410 194 32,679
South-East Thames … 433 239 31,140
South-West Thames … 247 425 31,515
Wessex … 191 187 21,258
Oxford … 215 110 15,296
South Western … 205 174 27,259
West Midland … 394 384 38,974
Mersey … 164 222 23,962
North-Western … 336 281 32,827
London Specialist Boards of Governors … 227 47 3,630
Total England … 4,157 3,326 396,235
Wales … 60 110 24,707
Total England and Wales … 4,217 3,436 420,942
* Beds which are authorised for use as pay beds or amenity beds may also be used by non-paying patients.

Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish the number of private pay beds, amenity beds and the national health beds per 1,000 of the population in each area health authority by region in England and Wales.

Dr. Owen

I regret that information in the form requested is not readily available, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.