§ 25. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health what consultations he had with regional hospital boards before approving the General Nursing Council's proposals on the future of nurse training; and to what extent hospital authorities are in agreement with these proposals.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThere were full consultations extending over a period of about a year and the General Nursing Council modified their original proposals in the light of the comments made on behalf of the hospital authorities.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs it not a fact that most regional boards are opposed to the reduction of the size of nurses' training schools? Is the Minister aware that in one region alone these proposals will mean the closing-down of at least six nurses' training schools and possibly another eight, all of them functioning perfectly well now? Was it not a little unwise to accede to the General Nursing Council's recommendation in the face of opposition from those authorities and hospitals who will have to work the proposals?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithA variety of views were expressed on behalf of the hospital authorities, some of them conflicting. It was not possible to meet all the points which were raised. I have proceeded on the basis of trying to achieve the highest common factor and what is equitable, appropriate, and administratively viable. The hon. Member will know that we have introduced certain arrangements to promote flexibility in the application of this principle to training schools and also that existing schools have until 1st January, 1964, to comply with these requirements.