§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now reverse the threatened staffing reductions at the Department of Health and Social Security offices in all parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. OrmeNo. The reductions are in consequence of a number of economy measures which my right hon. Friend announced recently as part of the requirement on the Department to reduce annual public expenditure by £14.4 million. In
Health District Urgent Cases Non-urgent Cases Worksop and Retford* … … … … … Within one week 13 weeks Central Nottinghamshire† … … … … … 1–2 weeks 7–27 weeks North Nottingham* … … … … … 2–5 weeks 11–130 weeks‡ South Nottingham* … … … … … 1–2 weeks 24–30 weeks * At 27th January 1978. † At 31st December 1977. ‡ Newly appointed consultant. Waiting times shown for non-urgent cases vary widely because patients are seen by different consultants at different locations. In addition, some consultants see non-urgent cases on the bases of clinical assessment rather than waiting time.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision there is in Nottinghamshire of special hospital units for elderly people injured in falls; and whether there are any plans to increase that provision.
§ Mr. MoyleThere is a unit of eight geriatric/orthopaedic beds at Basford Hospital, Nottingham, and a rehabilitation ward of 18 beds at Kilton Hospital which receives elderly patients on transfer from orthopaedic wards at Victoria Hospital, Worksop. Nottinghamshire Area Health Authority (Teaching) also plans to set up a unit of 18 beds at the General Hospital, Nottingham.