§ 51. Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Health what changes have been made in the numbers of the establishment at Linton Hospital, Maidstone, in the past seven years; and how far those changes take into account the shorter working week and the secondment of pupil nurses away from the hospital for 32 out of 104 weeks.
§ Mr. LoughlinIn September, 1959, there were 136 nurses for 286 beds, and in September, 1966, 125 for 242 beds. The number of beds has since increased to 276 and a further 21 posts have been authorised. Three additional posts were approved on account of the shorter working week. The figures exclude nurses seconded from the hospital.
§ Mr. WellsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these nurses carry a far heavier burden of work-hours per nurse today than their predecessors seven years ago'? Will he look at this establishment again, and if he cannot do that will he look at the possible provision of more modern equipment for them?
§ Mr. LoughlinI appreciate that all nurses are shouldering a burden and have always shouldered a burden, but the staff figures at Linton Hospital, Maidstone, are very similar to other similiar hospitals.