HC Deb 31 July 1947 vol 441 cc624-5
35 and 37. Mr. Somerville Hastings

asked the Minister of Health (1) from how many hospitals has recognition as training schools for nurses been withdrawn by the General Nursing Council during the last year; and from how many further hospitals is this withdrawal proposed;

(2) how many hospital beds have had to be closed through shortage of nursing staff because of the withdrawal of their recognition as training schools for nurses by the General Nursing Council during the last year; and how many further beds will have to be closed if the withdrawals now proposed are carried out.

Mr. Bevan

The hospitals number 24 and 37, respectively, but in many cases grouping arrangements will enable training to continue; as to the number of beds closed, I have no information.

Mr. Hastings

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he realises what a serious matter is this closing of beds to the people of this country, even if they are few in number; and if he will use the powers he has under the Nurses Registration Act, 1939, to override these decisions of the General Nursing Council, if he feels that they are undesirable in the public interest?

Mr. Bevan

In answer to the last part of the question, I should have no hesitation in overriding the decisions of the General Nursing Council if I thought that they were inappropriate, and if I thought they would bring about a reduction of vital hospital accommodation; at the same time it is necessary to realise, as I am sure my hon. Friend realises, that we must maintain nurse-training standards, and that patients and nurses suffer if the patients are treated and the nurses are trained in inappropriate institutions.

Earl Winterton

Is it not a fact that the General Nursing Council is generally regarded as the authoritative body in this case, although, as the right hon. Gentleman has said, he has a perfect right, if necessary, to override their instructions.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

Will my right hon. Friend consider making further representations to the General Nursing Council in respect of fever training hospitals where it is very difficult to get the requisite 100 beds occupancy as the average for the whole year, and where the training is very high?

Mr. Bevan

I will keep that in mind.

Mr. Hastings

Is my right hon. Friend aware that St. Leonard's Hospital, Shore-ditch, will have to close down if the decision of the General Nursing Council is implemented, and thereby important hospital accommodation will be lost to an area of London where it is very necessary?

Mr. Bevan

I am hoping that this tragedy will be averted. I believe that discussions are taking place at the present time with the L.C.C. in order to bring about a regrouping. This hospital will be associated with other hospitals, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that the present conditions at Shoreditch are in many respects very undesirable.