HC Deb 04 December 1961 vol 650 cc930-1
42. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Health how many part-time nurses are now employed in the hospital service; what percentage they form of the nursing staff; and what further measures he proposes to take to increase the nursing strength of the hospital service.

Miss Pitt

There were 45,445 at 31st March, 1961, estimated to represent in whole-time equivalents about 16 per cent. of the total. My right hon. Friend has recently given guidance to hospitals about increasing their numbers.

Mr. Boyden

Will the Minister take greater efforts to communicate to the hospitals the very good schemes that are going on in some hospitals concerning the employment of part-time staff? Did he read the article in the Nursing Mirror last August in which two or three excellent schemes were described, and will he bring those to the notice of hospitals which do not have such schemes?

Miss Pitt

We endeavour to make known all the schemes which have brought results in other areas. I am chairman of the Nurses' and Midwives' Consultative Committee. Views from all over the country are exchanged and my Department has produced a memorandum containing many of the points of general helpfulness concerning the recruiting of part-time nurses.

44. Mr. D. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to build up the recruiting drive for nurses, especially in the Sheffield region.

Miss Pitt

Recruitment is primarily the responsibility of the employing authorities. Those in the Sheffield region are making intensive efforts, which my right hon. Friend supports by providing material and giving widespread publicity to nursing as a career.

Mr. Griffiths

Although the Parliamentary Secretary says there is widespread support and publicity in this matter, that is not enough. We are not getting the nurses. There is not sufficient inducement to people to come into this noble profession. Although the standard of living of nurses is much greater than when I first remember them, it ought to be much better. Is the Parliamentary Secretary and her right hon. Friend aware of the amount of suffering which is imposed on people treated as out-patients because beds are empty through the insufficiency of nursing staff?

Miss Pitt

The latest available figures for the recruitment of nurses up to March this year—the latest date for which we have them—show that they are at the highest level, both nationally and in Sheffield.

Mr. Griffiths

But still they are not enough.