HC Deb 14 December 1959 vol 615 cc1039-40
21. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health what is the present shortage of trained nurses employed for service to mentally deficient children and adults, respectively; how this compares with five and ten years ago; and whether the question of adequate salaries for this kind of service has been reconsidered within the last two years.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I regret that precise information of the kind asked for in the first part of the Question is not available; but for mental deficiency hospitals in England and Wales the latest figures for March, 1959, of trained nurses employed are 3,214 whole-time and 431 part-time compared with 3,120 and 413 five years ago and 2,613 and 250 ten years ago. The Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council has reviewed the salaries of all National Health Service nursing staff during the past year and has agreed substantial increases for all grades from 1st March, 1959.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman appreciate that trained nurses employed in this service to mentally defective children by public authorities give quite as devoted service as do those employed by private organisations, but that there are not enough of them? As this kind of service entails particularly arduous work and great care and affection, is the Minister satisfied that even the increase he has announced will be sufficient to bring in the extra recruits which are required?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I hope so, although it is relatively early days yet to say. I fully endorse what the hon. Gentleman has been good enough to say about the devotion and the value of the work done by these nurses. I am glad to say that, over the last ten years, the number of whole-time trained nurses in mental deficiency hospitals has increased by 23 per cent. and the total whole-time nursing staff by over 44 per cent. There has also been a welcome increase in the number of beds over that period, but the ratio of staff to beds has improved.