§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many hospital beds are at present unused in Essex owing to lack of funds; and which districts are involved in each case;
(2) if he will make a statement on the cuts made in the Harlow health district 387W to make retrospective economies in expenditure in 1978; and if he will indicate any steps which have now been taken to restore the services which suffered.
§ Mr. MoyleIn the Harlow district, a 12-bed gynaecology ward at the Herts and Essex hospital was closed. Funds are now available and, following a survey of bed occupancy of surgical beds at this hospital, it has been decided that this ward should re-open on 1st September as a five-day female surgical ward. In the Chelmsford district 49 beds, in the Southend district 82 beds and in the Thurrock district six beds are unused