§ 10. Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the continuing staff difficulties in our mental hospitals; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. VosperI am aware that there are shortages of staff, particularly of doctors and nurses. In regard to doctors, there has been an increase in numbers in post in recent years. Recruitment of nurses is also improving. For the special measures which have been taken, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 26th November, 1956.
§ Mr. OwenDid not the Minister's predecessor promise the House that some investigation would be made into this increasing problem of staff difficulties? Up to now we seem to have had no direct statement of Government policy. Would my right hon. Friend be willing to consult the trade unions concerned in dealing with this matter?
§ Mr. VosperMy hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Miss Hornsby-Smith), as Parliamentary Secretary, made a statement on 26th November which went into this question fairly fully. During the last year there has been considerable improvement in the staffing position. In regard to nurses alone, the position improved by 8 per cent. in the first nine months of last year. At the moment, I would have thought there was sufficient progress apart from taking any further action.
§ Mr. H. FraserWould not my right hon. Friend agree that, although there has been progress, it is not fast enough on the nursing side? Will my right hon. Friend look at the too great differential between skilled nurses and the trainee and probationer nurses, who are not being sufficiently attracted to the profession?
§ Mr. VosperI will look at that point.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the right hon. Gentleman pay particular attention to the growing age of nurses in mental nursing and to the urgent need to look again at the question of their representation on the Whitley Council, which is a matter of great concern?