HC Deb 22 March 1965 vol 709 cc28-9
46. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Minister of Health by what numbers and percentage the present nursing staff in hospitals for mentally deficient patients falls short of the establishment desired by each regional hospital board; and what are the principal reasons for these deficiencies.

Mr. K. Robinson

As the Answer contains a table of figures, I will with permission, circulate these in the OFFICIAL REPORT.* Boards do not adopt the same criteria in assessing their deficiencies, which they attribute to many causes, including competition from other forms of employment, inaccessibility of hospitals and hours of duty.

*Note: See OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd March, 1965; Written Answers, cols. 65–66.]

Mr. Hill

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in addition to the overall shortage in all sorts of mental health hospitals, there is the more serious problem that some hospitals which are newly built and which therefore should be attractive—Little Plumstead, in Norfolk, for instance—have not been used yet because of shortage of staff? As this seems to be a general problem, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that pay and conditions are sufficient to attract the minimum number of recruits we must have? If he is not so satisfied, will he inquire into the position?

Mr. Robinson

I think that this is more a local than a general problem. The hon. Gentleman will know that remuneration is a matter for the Whitley Council and that there is a claim for nursing staff before the appropriate Whitley Council at the moment. In the East Anglian region, in which the hon. Gentleman's constituency is situated, the hospitals already have more staff in relation to beds than the national average, although it is true that their requirements are pitched rather higher than the national average.