§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many departments of rheumatology in England and Wales are under threat of closure; what are their names; if he will give the reasons for the closures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr.VaughanI am currently considering a proposal submitted by North-West Thames regional health authority to close beds, including rheumatology and rehabilitation beds, at St. Mary's hospital, Harrow Road, West London. I hope to make an announcement shortly.
Consultant and Senior Registrar Posts in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation as at 30 September 1980 Regional Health Authority England Consultants Senior Registrar *WTE of Staff in Post WTE of Vacant Posts WTE of Staff in Post WTE of Vacant Posts Northern 14.1 1.0 2.0 1.0 Yorkshire 4.5 — 2.6 — Trent 15.1 2.0 3.0 — East Anglia 8.9 1.0 2.1 — North West Thames 23.3 1.4 14.8 — North East Thames 27.9 0.4 9.0 1.7 South East Thames 23.0 2.2 9.0 — South West Thames 15.0 0.5 4.0 — Wessex 19.3 1.0 4.0 1.0 Oxford 14.1 3.0 3.1 1.0 South Western 2.7 1.0 1.0 — West Midlands 4.4 4.0 3.0 — Mersey 4.0 — — 1.0 North Western 14.7 2.0 4.7 — Wales 8.0 3.0 2.0 — Total 199.0 22.5 64.3 5.7 *WTE—Whole time equivalent. The appointment of hospital staff is a matter for individual health authorities. Vacancies may be due to a number of factors and are only one of several indicators of the overall staffing position.