§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will call for a report from the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale health authority regarding the emergency closure at Jackson ward in the Edith Watson maternity ward unit at Burnley general hospital.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThere is no requirement upon district health authorities to report to the Secretary of State for Health when implementing temporary closures or changes in the use of hospital wards. We have been advised that the temporary closure of one of the three maternity wards at Burnley general hospital reflects a reduction in the number of maternity cases since last year and was not undertaken until detailed discussions had taken place with the consultant obstetricians and directors of midwifery services. The situation is being kept under review and the ward will be reopened if there are sufficient patients to justify that decision.