§ Sir M. Haversasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the present consultations over Wimbledon Hospital result in its closure, what arrangements 529W are being made for alternative accommodation in the district;
(2) if the present consultations over Wimbledon Hospital result in its closure, what arrangements are being made to protect the staff.
§ Mr. MoyleAs indicated in my reply to the hon. and learned Member on 18th January—[Vol. 924, c.171]—consideration of this matter is at an early stage. The area health authority has not entered into any formal consultations on the possible closure of this hospital but I am assured that, should it do so, these would cover the needs of patients as well as the question of alternative employment for staff.
§ Sir M. Haversasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage of occupancy of beds at Wimbledon Hospital compared with similar units in the district.
§ Mr. MoyleThe average occupancy of beds in this hospital during 1976 was 59.8 per cent.; but since no other hospital in the Sutton and West Merton
Hospital Average bed occupancy Per cent. Main Specialties (In-patient) Nelson Hospital, Merton … … 62.9 General Surgery Traumatic and Orthopaedic Surgery ENT and Gynaecology St. George's Hospital, Tooting … … 83.3 General Medicine General Surgery Infectious Diseases Geriatrics, ENT Traumatic and Orthopaedic Surgery Ophthalmology Plastic Surgery Oral Surgery Gynaecology Obstetrics Neurology Paediatrics Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton … … 83.3 General Medicine General Surgery Psychiatry Traumatic and Orthopaedic Surgery Plastic Surgery Dental and Oral Surgery Gynaecology Obstetrics Regional Burns Unit.