§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there will be adequate staff to man the new physiotherapy/occupational therapy unit in Worksop when it is completed later this year.
§ Dr. VaughanThere are sufficient physiotherapists but, because of staffing difficulties, the occupational therapy unit will be opened progressively as occupational therapists are recruited.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the new children's mentally handicapped unit day facilities to be brought into use in Worksop; and what is the reason for its non-use.
§ Dr. VaughanThe unit has been open for two months. Six to eight children attend daily and nursing staff are being recruited to allow the unit to be opened fully.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why ward 5 of Kilton hospital, Worksop, has been closed for 18 months; and when he expects it to reopen.
§ Dr. VaughanThe main reason is lack of nursing staff and there is no immediate prospect of recruiting sufficient nurses to allow this ward to be reopened.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Robinson ward of Victoria hospital has been closed for 18 months; and when he expects it to reopen.
§ Dr. VaughanThe main reason is lack of nursing staff and there is no immediate prospect of recruiting sufficient nurses to allow this ward to be reopened.
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§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why there is a shortage of 50 nursing staff at the Worksop hospital as shown in the recent staffing review.
§ Dr. VaughanThere are 37 vacancies in the funded nursing establishment in the Worksop and Retford health district. The shortage is due to severe local difficulties in recruitment, and every effort is being made to attract nursing staff.