§ 32. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, despite the salary award of May, 1955, the pharmaceutical staffs of hospitals are 30 per cent. under establishment; that the position is deteriorating with consequent harmful effect to the service which hospitals are able to give to patients; and what steps he will take to effect an improvement.
§ Mr. TurtonI am aware that there is a shortage of pharmacists in hospitals, as elsewhere, but precise details are not available. I am considering what action can be taken.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister aware that whilst he is considering this action, and for the past twelve months, hospitals have had to pay from 14 to 16 guineas a week for locum pharmacists because they cannot now recruit permanent staff at £550 a year? Is not that the crux of the matter, and will he deal with that quickly?
§ Mr. TurtonI answered a Question a fortnight ago about locum pharmacists. Their remuneration is a matter in the first instance for the Pharmaceutical Whitley Council.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the dispensing services in some hospitals have had to be closed down because of the lack of staff?
§ Mr. TurtonIt is known that in two hospitals the chief pharmacists have recently left the hospital service for outside employment. This is a general difficulty throughout the country. There is a shortage of pharmacists, not only in the hospital service but in our other services, and I am certainly perturbed about it.