§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct an inquiry into alleged refusal of admissions of patients to hospitals in the Tayside health board area due to shortage of beds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayIn response to exceptionally heavy demand for admission of patients to acute medical beds in Dundee, Tayside health board has drawn to the attention of general practitioners and hospital medical staff the need to review carefully the necessity of admitting particular cases as emergencies. It has been more difficult this year to cope with the usual seasonal peak by transferring surgical beds temporarily to medical use since424W it is necessary to use these beds to catch up with the backlog of operations caused by last year's prolonged industrial disruption by health service staff. I see no need to conduct an inquiry into this matter.