§ 35. Mr. Royleasked the Minister of Health if he has yet considered a communication from the Town Clerk of Salford referring to the shortage of candidates for the Health Nursing Services; and what steps he proposes to take to assist recruitment.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithYes, Sir. Recruitment should be helped by the general improvement in salaries resulting from the recent Whitley agreement. The report of a Working Party on Health Visitors will shortly be published and my right hon. Friend will consult the interested bodies about any measures that are recommended.
§ Mr. RoyleWill the hon. Lady say whether the adjustment to which she has referred brings the salaries of the outside nursing services in line with those of the hospital services? If not, would she make representations that something might be done about it?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe agreement reached about nurses with the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council covers only hospital nurses, but it was also agreed that consequential adjustments would be made in the salaries of public health and domiciliary nurses and midwives, and when those new rates are agreed they will have effect from 1st April, 1956, as in the case of hospital nurses.