§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on recent closures and restrictions of services at the accident and emergency departments of the Brook and Greenwich district hospitals resulting from the shortages of beds and suitably qualified medical staff; and what steps he has taken to ensure that there is an adequate casualty service covering the Greenwich health district.
§ Mrs. Currie[holding answer 14 December 1987]: There have been no closures or restrictions at the Brook hospital accident and emergency department since 10 September or at Greenwich district general hospital accident and emergency department since 24 September. A local major accident occurred on 29 October and in order to ensure that facilities would be free to meet that exceptional demand the accident and emergency department at the Brook hospital was closed to other patients at the time as part of the hospital's normal procedure in such circumstances. The provision of a casualty service in Greenwich is the responsibility of the Greenwich health authority and I have received no evidence that it is inadequate.