§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the Orpington Hospital, which had to close its casualty department because the consultant was on holiday.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe accident and emergency department at Orpington Hospital closed at 5 p.m. on 15th March and reopened on 30th March, except for orthopaedic emergencies brought by ambulance.
The only consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Orpington Hospital is also in charge of the accident and emergency department. He is due to return on 24th April from five weeks' annual leave. This was too long a period for other consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the area to provide satisfactory cover. An advertisement for a locum consultant orthopaedic surgeon brought no replies.
It has been possible to reopen the department sooner because the consultant in charge of the accident and emergency department at Bromley Hospital has agreed to supervise both departments and the ambulance service has agreed to take orthopaedic emergencies to Bromley hospital or to other local hospitals with accident and emergency departments. I regret the need to close the department during the period in question.