HC Deb 05 May 1958 vol 587 cc827-8
21. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health if he will widen the membership of the proposed working party on the medical staffing structure of the hospitals to include representatives of other bodies than the Joint Consultants' Committee and his Department.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to a Question on 29th April by the hon. Member for Greenock (Dr. Dickson Mahon). My right hon. Friend and I are not proposing any change for our part.

Mr. Robinson

Is the Minister aware that there are those in the profession who believe that the advice he will receive from the Joint Consultants' Committee may not be entirely detached? Does he not think there is at least a case for having one representative of the senior registrars on the working party?

Mr. Walker-Smith

This is a Joint Committee of my right hon. Friend and myself and the Joint Consultants' Committee in co-operation. As the hon. Member knows, the Joint Committee consists of representatives of the Royal Colleges, the Scottish Royal Corporations and the British Medical Association. Its composition is a matter for these three bodies, and my right hon. Friend and I cannot interfere with the professional representation on this working party, which is a matter for the profession.

Mr. Robinson

Is the Minister not aware that those people are all consultants? As well as representatives from the right hon. Gentleman's Department and the Joint Consultants' Committee, could not the Minister include one or more representatives of the senior registrars?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The composition of the membership of the working party is not yet decided. We shall have to appoint our members, and I will bear in mind what the hon. Member has said. I cannot, however, interfere with the professional representation, which is a matter for the profession.

22. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health if he will instruct the working party on the medical staffing structure of the hospitals to pay special attention to the understaffing of the mental hospitals and to the need for a substantial increase in the number of psychiatrists in all grades.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The terms of reference of the working party apply equally to mental and other hospitals and no specific reference seems necessary.

Mr. Robinson

In view of the fact that this is by far the most undermanned specialty in the whole of the hospital services, does the Minister not think that at least one word on this problem might be included in the terms of reference?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The hon. Member can take it that a joint body such as this will be fully aware of all the circumstances relating to the structure and staffing of the mental and mental deficiency hospitals.