§ 38. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health whether he can give any further information respecting progress in relating and co-ordinating the services of medical and nursing staffs in military and civil hospitals?
§ Mr. E. BrownWith regard to nursing, to which my hon. Friend's previous questions referred, I am glad to say that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has agreed in principle to the temporary loan to understaffed civilian hospitals of Army nurses who can be spared. The details are under discussion. With regard to medical staffs, I have a standing arrangement with my right hon. Friend under which Army doctors would give all possible assistance to a civil hospital if required in an emergency. I may add that Medical Personnel Priority Committees in each Region have constantly under review the co-ordination of military and civil hospital services.
§ Mr. SorensenWhile appreciating very much the Reply which the right hon. Gentleman has given, may I ask him whether any kind of report is likely to be made of a general nature showing what the progress has been, in view of the great shortage of civil staff in certain directions?
§ Mr. BrownI am not certain about there being a report. I shall have to look into that point. The hon. Member will see that the medical personnel do have this matter constantly under discussion with all the Departments concerned, because this affects more than one Department.