HC Deb 05 May 1958 vol 587 cc833-4
18. Mrs. Slater

asked the Minister of Health what further measures, following on the report of the Working Party on Health Visiting, are to be made for the recruitment of health visitors.

Mr. R. Thompson

With the long-term aim of improving recruitment, the working party recommended improvements in the status of health visitors and the organisation of their training. My right hon. and learned Friend is in general agreement with these recommendations, and discussions on matters of detail are proceeding with the local authority associations and professional organisations.

Mrs. Slater

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this is becoming an extremely urgent problem for local authorities, and that the fact that many of them are understaffed increases the tremendous difficulties which confront health visitors? My own local authority has just half of its complement. Cannot this work be speeded up?

Mr. Thompson

I will do my best in that matter.

Mr. Hastings

Will the Minister give consideration to the better training of health visitors in health and spending less time on training them as nurses?

Mr. Thompson

The principal suggestions of the working party were for the introduction of a new grade of group adviser and for the constitution of a central training body with wide responsibilities for the conduct and supervision of training. There is controversy about some aspects of these proposals, but I cannot say precisely when decisions will be taken upon them.