§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his written answer of 16 February giving the numbers employed in the hospital and primary health care service staff, if he will give a further breakdown of the totals recorded for 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977 beyond the figures already indicated for those employed in administrative or medical categories.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe following table shows the information requested for England. I will let the hon. Member have such information as can be compiled on a comparable basis for the South-West Thames regional health authority when the figures become available.
reopening as soon as possible of Lytham hospital now closed because of a shortage of nurses due to sickness which has now reduced available nursing staff in the area by 18 per cent.
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§ Mr. MoyleLytham hospital, which has 53 beds, and Fleetwood hospital—31 beds—have been temporarily closed since 16 February. Ward 22 at Blackpool Victoria hospital—25 beds—was also closed on 16 February but re-opened on 28 February. The purpose of this action by the Blackpool district management team was to concentrate staff and other resources, which had become severely stretched by industrial action and by the high level of staff sickness, at Blackpool Victoria and Moss Side hospitals. I am negotiating with the appropriate trade unions with a view to ending the industrial action. The district management team intends to re-open the two hospitals as soon as an adequate service can be provided.