HC Deb 13 December 1954 vol 535 cc1366-7
21. Mr. Wilkins

asked the Minister of Health whether the instruction issued by the regional hospital boards to hospital management committees, that the recruitment of nursing staff up to approved establishment can be made only on the condition that the salaries of any additional staff can be met out of the approved estimates was made with his approval.

28. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many hospitals are not able to recruit nursing staff that are needed to bring numbers up to approved establishment because of lack of finance; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this.

Mr. Iain Macleod

While the allocations made to hospital boards, within the sums voted by Parliament have generally been sufficient not only for the maintenance of existing services and staffing standards but also for some improvements and developments—which include increases in staff—I have, from the outset made it clear that the cost of these must be met within the allocations made. I am constantly encouraging hospital authorities to achieve the maximum economy in running their services in order to release further resources for improvements and developments.

Mr. Wilkins

What earthly use is it to hold recruiting campaigns in the various regions—which I understand arc reasonably successful—if hospital management committees find it impossible to meet the cost of additional staff? They are already hard pressed to keep their expenditure within the estimates, and does not this mean that there will be no recruitment of staff?

Mr. Macleod

No, it does not. As a matter of fact, some of the recruitment drives have, perhaps, not been quite as successful as the supplementary question may have indicated, though both I and my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour are always looking for such recruits. But it is a general principle, and always has been in the budgeting of all Departments, that every one must try to keep within their allocation and use it for the improvements which they can obtain.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does that reply mean that the Minister is prepared to look again at individual cases where special development has been long planned—and indeed where capital expenditure may have been incurred—but which cannot be put into full operation because nurses, although available, cannot be paid?

Mr. Macleod

I have consistently told regional boards, who equally consistently have told hospital management committees, that they must stay within their allocations. But I am always prepared to consider any special case if an hon. Member wishes to put one forward.

Mr. Wilkins

Does that mean that when a regional hospital board sends in its budget, it is expected to take account of the maximum number of staff it may be permitted to have?

Mr. Macleod

No, Sir, not necessarily. A board submits its demands to me on the basis of the numbers it thinks it can reasonably expect to recruit within the coming year.

Mr. Marquand

Whatever may be happening elsewhere, can the Minister assure us that, so far as mental health is concerned, the number of nurses will not have to be limited by the amount of finance available?

Mr. Macleod

That goes too wide. It is right to say that the recruitment of mental health staff is a special problem.