HC Deb 28 March 1946 vol 421 cc556-8
15. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Health to what extent hospitals of all kinds have been closed and bed accommodation restricted; and how many patients who would normally enter hospital for treatment have been unable to do so on account of shortage of domestic and nursing staffs.

Mr. Bevan

I am afraid I have no precise information on this, but it is clear that the number is considerable.

Mr. Sparks

Does not my right hon. Friend feel that this matter should be taken up with the Minister of Labour— [HON. MEMBERS: "Speak up."] Does not my right hon. Friend feel that this matter is so important that he should approach the Minister of Labour with a view to recruiting the maximum number of domestic and nursing staff, because there are instances I know of in my own constituency where there is a serious shortage of accommodation for maternity cases owing to the fact that a section of the hospital has had to be closed down?

Mr. Bevan

The whole House is aware that last year I launched a campaign for the recruitment of nurses, in all institutions. I am in close cooperation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour all the while, because this matter is causing me great anxiety.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that every constituency is affected by this, and will he see to it that nurses and domestics are given higher salaries and better amenities?

Mr. Bevan

Nurses were to have their salaries raised at the beginning of the year. The salaries and conditions of domestic staffs are now under consideration by the organisations concerned.

Sir Henry Morris-Jones

In view of the very serious position with regard to this question, how does the right hon. Gentleman expect to improve matters by offering free treatment to everybody in the country when there are no facilities?

Mr. Bevan

The answer surely is plain. If we had a national health service we should get more nurses into it.

Mr. Hastinģs

Will the Minister consider sending round the provinces a nursing exhibition so that people who are coming out of the Forces will know what the possibilities are?

Mr. Bevan

A large number of the larger authorities are holding exhibitions at the present time. However, I will consider whether that suggestion could be used to supplement what they are doing.

22. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Minister of Health how many nurses are still required to man the civil hospitals of the country; how many have been released from the Forces in the past six months; and how many still remain in the Services.

Mr. Bevan

On nth March, 1946, there were approximately 28,000 vacancies noti- fled to the Ministry of Labour and National Service for nurses of all grades, in hospitals and similar institutions in Great Britain. During the six months ending 28th February, 3,239 trained nurses were released from the Forces. I understand that the number still in the Services is 8,973.

Sir T. Moore

Is my right hon. Friend taking any steps in conjunction with the Service Departments to have nurses released now from the duties that must obviously be lessening every day, so as to try and meet the demands of civilians?

Mr. Bevan

Nurses are being released every day.