A UNIT set up to curb town hall sickness levels does not even have headache tablets, it has been revealed.

Social services committee councillors were astounded when they were told that the council's occupational health unit was not there to hand out medicines.

Labour Cllr Mrs Margaret Clare said: "I had a migraine one day and went along thinking I would be able to get a paracetamol.

"But I was told they were not there for that sort of thing."

Mr David Fish, assistant director of social services, said: "This unit was set up for monitoring sickness and to offer information and advice." There is one full-time nurse, two part-time administrative staff and a doctor who comes in three times a week.

A town hall spokesman added: "The unit is also there for medicals and to give information to people who are returning from long-term sick."

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