§ 34. Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Minister of Health what representations he has had on behalf of mental nurses about the proposed reorganisation of the nursing profession; and if he will make a statement.
§ 23. Mr. Iremongerasked the Minister of Health what discussions he is having with the General Nursing Council for England and Wales about the composition and functions of the Mental Nurses Committee and proposed amendments to the Nurses Act, 1964.
Mr. RobinsonI have received a number of representations similar to those sent to me by the hon. Member for Wan-stead and Woodford (Mr. Patrick Jenkin). My officers will shortly discuss the General Nursing Council's proposals with their representatives.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinDoes this include representatives of the mental nurses? Does the Minister recognise that it would be unfortunate, to say the least, if the representation of psychiatric nurses in the bodies representing the nursing profession were to be reduced at this stage at a time when the importance of psychiatric nursing is becoming more and more appreciated in the country?
Mr. RobinsonRepresentation on the General Nursing Council is a matter for the Council, but I would be very surprised if it did not include psychiatric nurses. Perhaps I should take the opportunity of mentioning that the proposals have given rise to rumours that it is intended to close the mental nursing part of the Register. The General Nursing Council has publicly denied this quite categorically.