§ 28. Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that Clatterbridge hospital on the Wirral has adequate resources to undertake its responsibilities for the treatment of cancer patients.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeYes. There were temporary staffing difficulties at the Clatterbridge radiotherapy centre in the autumn, but staffing levels have now been restored. The Mersey regional health authority will be considering at its next meeting a recommendation that two new linear accelerators be installed at a cost of £2 million. One of these is to replace an existing machine; the other is a new facility. Whilst the machines are being installed, it is proposed to allocate £60,000 a year to the centre for additional staffing to enable more intensive use to be made of the equipment.