§ 13. Miss Pittasked the Minister of Health what part of the general training for nurses is taken up with secondment to tuberculosis hospitals, particularly in the Birmingham area.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe syllabus of general training laid down by the General Nursing Council does not include compulsory service in a tuberculosis hospital, but many general student nurses do in fact spend part of their training period in tuberculosis nursing. I am inquiring 584 about the extent to which this is done in the Birmingham Region and will send the particulars to my hon. Friend.
§ Miss PittWill my hon. Friend not agree that we shall be unable to take the fullest advantage of the developments in the treatment of tuberculosis unless nurses are found for this service? Will she use every endeavour in the Birmingham area, where the position is serious, to obtain more?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI will certainly look into the figures for Birmingham. Generally speaking, through co-operation by the nurses in volunteering for this speciality we have been able to increase the number of nursing staff engaged on tuberculosis nursing. Since 1948, the number of nursing staff has increased by nearly 2000 whole-time members and 600 part-time members. I know that there are special difficulties in Birmingham.