Walsall General Hospital

Mr. George
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many days the accident and emergency unit has been closed at Walsall General Hospital in the last two years; how many patients have had to be treated outside the area covered by the Walsall Area Health Authority; and if he is satisfied with present arrangements whereby the unit is again closed.

Mr. Moyle
Between 1st January 1975 and 19th June 1977 the accident and emergency department has been closed on three days, though for about three months it was transferred from the general hospital to the manor hospital. Information about the number of patients who had to seek treatment outside Walsall on these days could not be  obtained without disproportionate effort and expense. I very much regret that a shortage of medical staff means that the department has been closed at various times since 20th June, but the Walsall Area Health Authority is making every effort to solve the problem of recruiting additional staff.