§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to restore the weekend service at the casualty department at Lymington Hospital; if he will, if necessary, transfer temporarily a senior house officer from Southampton or Poole until a permanent replacement is again available; and if he will give an assurance that it is not his intention to sanction any diminution of the casualty service at Lymington Hospital.
§ Mr. MoyleThe weekend cover for the Lymington Hospital casualty department is normally provided by a rota of four senior house officers, but at present one post is vacant. On 9th and 10th July it was not possible to find a locum to cover for the vacancy and the casualty department was closed on both nights. The vacancy will be filled at the begin-624W ning of August, and no further difficulties are anticipated. The Hampshire Area Health Authority (Teaching) has no plans to reduce the casualty service provided at Lymington Hospital.