§ 24. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Health how many nurses are needed to meet the normal requirements in the Leeds Regional Hospital Board area; and which are the districts where the greatest shortage exists.
§ Mr. TurtonThe Regional Hospital Board estimates the shortage at about 2,400. The greatest shortages are in the groups managed by the Wakefield (A), Storthes Hall, Huddersfield, and Middleton and Grassington Hospital Management Committees.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is a grave danger of some of these hospitals having to close down? Does he realise that it is time some new method was used to 819 stimulate recruiting into the nursing profession? Does he further realise that the campaign for nurses held a short time ago was a complete failure and that there is a feeling of frustration in the West Riding?
§ Mr. TurtonI realise that this is a most difficult problem and that it is vital to get more recruits to the nursing profession. Everything we can do to that end will be done.