§ 39. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health how far the acceptance of student nurses depends on the resource and decision of hospital matrons; and, in view of the easier position in respect of the number of nurses and student nurses in some hospitals compared with others in the same region, what steps are taken by group or regional hospital authorities to encourage the distribution of student nurses according to hospital needs.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe acceptance of student nurses for training is very largely at the discretion of the hospital matrons, who are in the best position to judge the suitability of candidates. Regional hospital boards can promote a more even distribution of nursing staff by assisting in the organisation of local recruitment campaigns and by limiting the approved establishments of the more fortunately placed hospitals.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the hon. Lady aware that, in spite of all she said—and I appreciate it—in many hospitals more or less adjacent to each other the staff is very badly distributed in the matter of student nurses and, as a result, some hospitals have a fair number of staff and in others 817 there are chronic shortages? Could not something more be done to secure a fair distribution of student nurses?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI appreciate that the nursing establishments of the teaching hospitals are generally very favourably placed compared with other general hospitals, but the demands on nursing staffs are heavier in the teaching hospitals. We have a great deal of co-operation from the vast majority of the teaching hospitals in seconding their staff, particularly to help us out in staffing sanatoria. I am quite sure this must be done by cooperation between the boards of the hospitals rather than by compulsion.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the hon. Lady encourage it?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithCertainly. We do everything we can.