§ Mr. Edward Gardnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to give help to nurses and other medical staff in the Fylde area who are now suffering from overwork, exhaustion and sickness during the present industrial dispute.
§ Mr. MoyleIt is impossible to say how far the current high level of sickness results from overwork and exhaustion, 507W but I welcome this opportunity to pay tribute to staff of all disciplines in the Blackpool district, and throughout the National Health Service, who have been doing all they can in the present difficult circumstances to maintain the best possible standard of service to patients. I deplore the fact that anyone feels it to be necessary to take industrial action which threatens the welfare of patients, and one of the primary aims in our discussions with the trade unions is to bring it to an end as quickly as possible.