§ 12. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by the King George's Sanatorium for Sailors at Bramshott, Hampshire, owing to the impossibility of obtaining adequate staff to carry on its work; and whether he will assist this sanatorium to obtain at once the services of two sisters, two staff nurses and six student nurses, for whom vacancies exist and who are now urgently required.
§ Mr. BevinI am doing my best to provide additional nursing staff for this sanatorium, which has been given the highest priority. My hon. and gallant Friend will, however, be aware of the great difficulties which arise as the result of the acute general shortage of nurses.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs my right hon. Friend aware that this admirable institution has had to close one ward, and that we have a long waiting list with which we are unable to cope?
§ Mr. BevinI appreciate very much that there is a shortage of nurses but, as I explained to the House some time ago in answer to a Question, I cannot make good the lack of nurses, particularly with the extra demand made upon them in war. The situation ought to have been foreseen and allowed for before the war. That is the great difficulty I am in.