HL Deb 25 October 1983 vol 444 cc240-1WA
Baroness Masham of Ilton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all the beds at the secure unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough, are now operational, or whether some beds are still closed owing to lack of staff.

Lord Glenarthur

Twenty of the 30 beds at the Regional Secure (Hutton) Unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough, are staffed and available. I understand from South Tees Health Authority that the unit has had some difficulty in recruiting trained and experienced staff, particularly nurses, despite national and local advertising. The authority is continuing in its efforts to recruit staff but in the meantime, in the absence of additional staff, it is reluctant to bring more beds into use since this could have a damaging effect on the standard of care it is currently providing for its patients.

At the end of September there were no patients awaiting admission.