§ 24. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the question 152 of the employment of female nurses in charge of male insane patients; whether this employment has been adopted by some asylum authorities and is approved by the Board of Control; and whether he will take into consideration the protest of the National Asylum Workers' Union in respect of it?
§ Mr. BRACEFor many years women have been employed in some asylums in nursing male patients who are not dangerous or otherwise unfitted for female care, and, provided precautions are taken, the practice is approved by the Board of Control, who have found its results satisfactory. Since the outbreak of War, in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining suitable male substitutes to replace attendants who have joined the Forces, there has been some extension of the practice, but in every case within proper limits and without any harmful results. Careful consideration has been given to the representations of the National Asylum Workers' Union, but the Secretary of State regrets that he is unable to comply with their request that he should ask asylum authorities to discontinue the practice.