HC Deb 20 March 1899 vol 68 cc1316-7
MR. DILLON

On behalf of the honourable Member for East Cavan, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to a letter by Edward Thompson, M.D., Omagh, on the question of trained nurses in relation to the late order of the Local Government Board; and whether, in view of the statements contained in that letter, the Local Government Board will reconsider its decision in regard to Miss Widdes, of Bailiebero', and other certified nurses similarly circumstanced?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

My attention has been directed to the letter referred to. This letter contains several important mis-statements of facts, and inaccuracies. Dr. Thompson is surgeon to the Tyrone County Infirmary, which is believed to have a maximum of 62 beds, but no fever hospital attached. The Local Government Board do not consider it would be expedient to include small provincial hospitals in their list of recognised teaching institutions, and are not prepared to reconsider their decision in regard to Miss Widdes and other nurses similarly situated.