§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds in the Essex area are at present unusued for any reason; and if she will list the hospitals which have such beds.
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§ Dr. OwenThe total bed number in the Essex area is almost 11,000. Apart from purely temporary closures—e.g., for decoration, etc.—581 beds are at present not in use, mostly through staffing difficulties, and in some cases these beds have been closed for many years. Although the number of potential nurses may have increased now, because of financial stringency it is difficult to finance increased recruitment so as to open or reopen beds.
The details by health districts are as follows:
Basildon and Thurrock District
St. Andrew's Hospital, Billericay. Twenty pre-convalescent beds are closed through lack of demand.Colchester District
No beds are closed.Chelmsford District
Chelmsford and Essex Hospital. Eight beds are closed through staffing difficulties.St. John's Hospital, Chelmsford. Twenty-five beds (transit ward) are closed through staffing difficulties. Five childrens beds are closed. The space is used for mother and baby units.Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. Thirty-five beds are closed through staffing difficulties (since before reorganisation).Bridge Hospital, Witham. Sixty mental handicap beds in a recently built unit are not yet open. Recruitment is proceeding and opening may follow this year. Ten mental handicap beds are closed to reduce overcrowding.Harlow District
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. Thirty mental illness beds and 18 psycho-geriatric assessment beds in a recently built unit are not yet open. It is hoped to open them this year.Honey Lane, Hospital, Waltham Abbey. Twenty-six beds are closed pending change of use to geriatric.St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping. Thirty-five beds are closed through staffing difficulties (since before reorganisation). Fifty-five beds now closed are due to reopen this year.Herts and Essex Hospital, Bishops Stortford. Seventy-five are closed through staffing difficulties (26 since before reorganisation).Bishops Stortford and District Hospital. Fifty-three beds are closed pending change of use to provide 40 geriatric beds plus a day hospital.Southend District
Southend Hospital. Fifty-six beds are closed through staffing difficulties (since 1948).Rochford Hospital. Fifty-two beds are closed through staffing difficulties (since before reorganisation).560WRunwell Hospital, Wickford Twenty beds are closed through staffing difficulties (since before reorganisation).