§ 7. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain hospitals require student nurses to do three consecutive months on night duty on the wards and that such students do 10 to 11 hours duty for eight consecutive nights before getting any time off; and what steps he will take to end this state of affairs.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Charles Loughlin)A maximum of three months' night duty in the year is acceptable to the General Nursing Council, and to the Nurses' and Midwives' Whitley Council. Our evidence suggests that most student nurses prefer duty on a number of consecutive nights.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan my hon. Friend give me any evidence for that statement? Is he aware that the existence of these conditions is quite scandalous? Can he tell me of a single industrial worker in the whole of the United Kingdom who works for eight or in some cases ten hours on consecutive nights, with no overtime rates and at less than 2s. 6d. an hour?
§ Mr. LoughlinThe Whitley Council agreement provides that for student nurses the maximum period on night 973 duty should not normally exceed three months in any twelve. I am not prepared to make comparisons with other types of worker. I know that the General Nursing Council is watching this position closely. In respect of nurses who work for eight consecutive nights, my hon. Friend should be fair and point out that they get six nights off immediately afterwards.
§ Mr. HamiltonIn view of the very unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.