§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the accident and emergency de- 236W partments within that part of Greater London covered by the North East Thames Regional Health Authority; what was the number of times each was closed during the past three months; and what were the reasons for the closures.
§ Mr. MoyleThe major accident and emergency departments involved are set out below together with the number of times each was closed during the three months 1st March to 31st May 1978:
Area Health Authority and Hospital Times closed (one day or less except where specified) Barking and Havering: Harold Wood — Old Church — Camden and Islington (T): University College — Royal Free 1 Whittington 3 Royal Northern 27 City and East London (T): Bethnal Green 1 month London (Whitechapel) occasionally— details not available London (Mile End) East Ham Memorial 3 months Albert Dock Seamen's 20 Queen Mary's for the East End 9 St. Andrews 2 Hackney 10 St. Leonards 15 London (St. Clements) — St. Bartholomews — Enfield and Haringey: Prince of Wales 16 North Middlesex Enfield DGH, Chase Wing — Redbridge and Waltham Forest: Whipps Cross — King George 14 The closures were attributable to a variety of reasons, such as upgrading and repair work being undertaken, infection at the hospital, industrial action, no beds being available, staff shortage caused by sickness, annual or study leave. On these occasions when a department closed patients were diverted to neighbouring hospitals.