23.
asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in Nottinghamshire in the last 12 months in the provision for maternity cases; and whether he will give the number of beds now available for women who cannot have their babies at home owing to unsuitable conditions as compared with the position a year ago.
According to the returns made by the welfare authorities, at 31st December, 1943, there were 301 maternity beds in hospitals and institutions available for residents in Nottinghamshire, and 307 at 31st December, 1944. In addition, a number of schemes for adaptations of existing institutions were approved during the last months of 1944, in respect of which works are now in progress which when completed will provide a further 43 beds. Negotiations are also nearly completed for the transfer to Nottinghamshire County Council of an emergency maternity home providing 25 beds.
Since the net increase is only six beds in 12 months, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take what steps he can to effect the increase in buildings that he mentioned?
Certainly, Sir, but as my hon. Friend probably knows, the main difficulty is staff and not buildings.
Is it not a fact that even where accommodation is found, the shortage of nurses makes it impossible to have them operating?
That was what I indicated.