HC Deb 14 May 1962 vol 659 c914
2. Mrs. Castle

asked the Minister of Health how many trained nurses and student nurses were employed in the Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, on 31st December, 1949, and 31st December, 1961, respectively.

Miss Pitt

In December, 1949, 76 and 64, and in December, 1961, 77 and 72, respectively.

Mrs. Castle

Is the hon. Lady aware that twice as many patients were admitted to this hospital in 1961 as were admitted in 1949 and that twice as many operations were performed? Do not the figures which she has just given show that the productivity of the nurses, whether trained or in training, has doubled during this period, and on this ground alone is there not an overwhelming case that they should be offered more than the miserly increase of 2½ per cent.?

Miss Pitt

The hon. Lady has not stated that the number of beds has fallen. The total number of nurses has increased, but the number of beds has dropped. It is true that there has been a greater turnover in those beds, but, on the subject of pay, I think that she should await the debate later this afternoon.