§ 39. Mr. Yatesasked the Minister of Health how many visits were made by district nurses in Birmingham to the homes of patients during December, January and February last.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithForty-two thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine, 46,319 and 43,828 respectively.
§ Mr. YatesDoes the Minister realise that even before the figures were as high as that, some of the district nurses were having to make 16 visits in the morning alone, whereas the ideal is 12 a day? Does she not think that most unsatisfactory?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithTo a great extent the increase in the number of visits is due to district nurses giving far more penicillin and streptomycin injections at patients' homes, which has enabled us to free hospital beds, and that process is wholly desirable.
§ 40. Mr. Yatesasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the hardship and inconvenience caused to district nurses in Birmingham, especially during the winter months, many of whom have to travel by bicycle; and if he will make more satisfactory arrangements to enable such nurses to obtain priority in purchasing small motor-cars by easier hire purchase facilities.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithNo complaints on this score have been brought to my right hon. Friend's notice; arrangements to enable district nurses to purchase motor-cars are a matter for the local health authority.
§ Mr. YatesDoes the Minister not realise that deputations have waited upon the local authority from doctors and also from the trades council, and in view of 197 the fact that these nurses are being overworked in such terrible weather, cannot something be done to assist them to obtain cars, as the midwives are able to obtain them, so that the position can be relieved to some extent?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that of 148 nurses 50 own cars. But it must be for the local authorities, with full knowledge of their areas, and the duties which have to be covered by their district nurses, to make decisions in this matter.