asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish the figures for the number of casualties treated at the Sheppey General Hospital in the last 12 months for which figures are available on a monthly basis.
The figures are:
| New Attendances | Total Attendances | |
| 1974— | ||
| October | 265 | 310 |
| November | 159 | 195 |
| December | 217 | 253 |
| 1975— | ||
| January | 242 | 276 |
| February | 234 | 263 |
| March | 316 | 350 |
| April | 301 | 342 |
| May | 413 | 476 |
| June | 578 | 659 |
| July | 713 | 831 |
| August | 924 | 1,064 |
| September | 376 | 452 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she has received from the hon. Member for Faversham a petition signed by over 5,000 residents of the Isle of Sheppey calling for the reopening of a 24-hour casualty service and of the children's ward at the Sheppey General Hospital; if she will pay due regard to the strength of feeling in support of adequate hospital services for the local community, paying particular attention to the special circumstance of the Isle of Sheppey; and if she will make a statement.
I have received the petition and fully appreciate the extent of local concern on this issue, although I understand that because of medical staffing requirements the area health authority feels obliged to concentrate such services in larger units in Medway.