§ 42. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Health what answer he has given to the Royal College of Nurses on their representations regarding nurse recruitment policy by regional hospital boards; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have sent the hon. Member a copy of my letter to the Royal College of Nursing.
§ Dame Irene WardI thank the right hon. Gentleman for his courtesy in this matter. Can he say whether the Royal College is satisfied with his reply, or whether there is still a controversy? Will he publish the letter in the OFFICIAL REPORT, so that everyone can see it?
§ Mr. RobinsonI will consider the question of publication in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It would, of course, mean consulting the Royal College—
§ Dame Irene WardI will do that.
§ Mr. RobinsonI think that, in the circumstances, it might be better if I consulted the Royal College rather than that the hon. Lady should do so. I think that the Royal College letter was written under something of a misapprehension, and I tried—I hope successfully—to put the matter in perspective in my reply, and the Royal College accepts it. I was able to point out that in September hospital nursing staff reached a figure of over 232,000, including almost 56,000 student nurses and over 11,000 pupil nurses, and all of these figures are the highest ever.
§ Mr. William HamiltonCan my right hon. Friend say how those figures compare with the recruitment figures immediately after the callous treatment of the nurses' salary claim under the previous Administration?
§ Mr. RobinsonI think that the answer to my hon. Friend is "favourably".
§ Mr. WoodCan the Minister say how many regional hospital boards have enough nurses to meet all requirements?
§ Mr. RobinsonHow many nurses are necessary to meet all requirements is really a matter of subjective evaluation, but if the right hon. Gentleman wants any information about a particular regional hospital board, and what its vacancies or shortages are, I shall be glad to try to answer him.