§ 43. Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of nurses at the Cotswold Hospital at Tetbury; and what steps he has taken, and now proposes to take, to remedy this shortage.
§ Miss PittYes, Sir. The hospital management committee is continuing its efforts to secure more staff at this hospital and, to help in relieving the shortage, my right hon. and learned Friend has agreed with its proposal to appoint an agency nurse.
§ Mr. KershawIs my hon. Friend aware that the last part of her answer will be received with considerable satisfaction? However, in view of the continuous difficulty of staffing hospitals for old people—a rather unrewarding form of nursing—will she review the position?
§ Miss PittI will put the last point to my right hon. and learned Friend, but the difficulty here arises because the hospital is isolated. In those circumstances, my right hon. and learned Friend is prepared to approve the employment of an agency nurse, as he has done on previous occasions, in order to help the hospital.
§ Mr. KershawMay I point out that, far from being isolated, the hospital is in the middle of Tetbury?