HC Deb 07 July 1958 vol 591 cc17-9
31. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health whether it will be open to the Hospitals Staffing Working Party to report and make recommendations, if they wish, upon the levels of consultant staffing either in the country as a whole, or in particular regions; and approximately how long he expects the working party will require to complete their task.

Mr. Walker-Smith

As the working party's task is to study the principles on which the medical staffing structure in the hospital service should be organised, they will not be concerned with the numbers of consultants as such. No estimate can be made yet of the time they will require, but I am sure they will proceed as quickly as they can.

Mr. Robinson

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not appreciate that the level of consultant staffing is a basic consideration, not only to the senior registrar problem but to everything else that the working party is supposed to be examining? Does he not realise that unless they can recommend on this matter, these distinguished gentlemen will be wasting their time?

Mr. Walker-Smith

It is for these distinguished gentlemen themselves to decide what matters they will need to go into so that they can discharge the terms of reference, of which they are aware and which they have accepted.

32. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health why he did not include either a psychiatrist or a layman with special knowledge of the staffing structure requirements of the mental hospitals among his nominees on the Hospitals Staffing Working Party.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The reason is that the working party as constituted is well equipped to cover the hospital service generally and is free to obtain evidence about particular classes of hospital, mental and others.

Mr. Robinson

Is the Minister not aware of the indignation which is felt among psychiatrists at the way they have been excluded from this important body? Does he not realise that the needs of the mental hospitals, even concerning the staffing structure, may be very different from those of general hospitals? Will he not reconsider the matter?

Mr. Walker-Smith

No, Sir, I am not aware of any such indignation as the hon. Member suggests. He will, I know, appreciate that to give representation to all the various specialities and to the different kinds of hospitals which would logically follow, would only increase the size of the working party far above the number of 12 and would certainly have delayed the results of its proceedings.

Dr. Summerskill

This is a curious omission, because the hospitals which are grossly overcrowded in every area are the mental hospitals. The main problem very often is lack of staff or the proper allocation of staff. Therefore, to omit a psychiatrist from a committee which is considering the overall allocation of staff is, I am sure the right hon. and learned Gentleman will admit, a little peculiar.

Mr. Walker-Smith

No, Sir. The working party consists of people all of whom have great experience in the hospital service. They can, I am sure, be trusted to obtain such information as they will need in regard to all the particular classes of hospitals and specialities with which they are concerned.

Mr. Robinson

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of this and the previous reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.