§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will examine and take steps to remedy the problem of shortage of nursing staff at Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester, and the consequent closure of the cleft palate unit; and whether he will make a statement on the problems arising from this staff shortage.
§ Mr. MoyleAs I told the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Smith) in reply to his Question on 17th January, the cleft palate unit reopened on 16th January after being closed since July 1977. Unfortunately, it had to be closed again on 18th January because of further staff sickness, but on 23rd January it was again reopened to provide a joint service for the treatment of cleft palates and general plastic surgery.
In the light of these difficulties, the Manchester Area Health Authority has concluded that the nursing establishment at Booth Hall Hospital is insufficient for the complexity of the work the hospital is being called upon to deal with. The establishment is now being reviewed and I have no doubt that the area health authority will do everything it can to bring the staffing up to an adequate level. The problem is, however, compounded by recruitment difficulties and, in particular, by a shortage of students coming 345W forward for paediatric nurse training.—[Vol. 942 c. 163–4.]