§ 39. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Health how far the hospital service is now under-staffed; and to what extent the service is restricted on this account.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodOn 31st December, 1951, the number of beds unoccupied through lack of staff was 32,668, or about one-fifteenth of the total number of beds. I have no figures for the total number of staff of all types which would be required to bring these beds into use.
§ Mr. SparksCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the shortage is more acute in mental and tuberculosis hospitals than in general hospitals?
§ Mr. MacleodI think it is. There is a certain wastage amongst nurses, which, for reasons which are well known, is particularly severe in the hospitals and institutions to which the hon. Member referred.
§ Mr. SparksIs the right hon. Gentleman taking any action to make good the deficiency?
§ Mr. MacleodYes. Sir. This is a most important problem, and, as a matter of fact, the figures have been 1660 all the time, as I am sure the hon. Member knows. For example, the number of beds unoccupied in December, 1949, was about 46,000; in December, 1950, just under 40,000; and on 31st December, 1951, it was under 33,000. That is a very steady improvement and I am doing everything I can to maintain it.