§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to reopen Bowthorpe hospital in Wisbech, now closed owing to lack of staff; if he is satisfied with the efforts to recruit staff; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanHealth officials assure me that Bowthorpe hospital is not closed, but admissions are affected intermittently by shortages of staff, mainly midwives. The health authority has advertised extensively for midwives, and a further recruitment campaign is about to start. I am asking the health authority to consider every possible way of alleviating present staffing problems.