HC Deb 27 June 1966 vol 730 cc1229-30
39. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Health which hospital authorities in the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board area do not have arrangements for keeping in touch with former nurses living in their areas.

Mr. Loughlin

The psychiatric hospital authorities in general do not have such arrangements.

Mr. Onslow

While thanking the Minister for that more carefully researched reply, may I ask him to draw to the attention of the hospital authorities in this area the need for improving such arrangements as they do have, because the shortage of staff certainly gives no grounds for the sort of complacency revealed in correspondence that I have had with him?

Mr. Loughlin

I assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no complacency about this. We are as conscious of this as he is, and I think that the hospital boards are conscious that we have to utilise part-time staff as far as possible. Guidance has been issued to hospital authorities about the various measures that should be taken to keep in contact with part-time nurses and midwives.