§ 45. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health how many nurses are working a full working week in one hospital and then doing a number of shifts in another within the National Health Service.
§ Mr. PavittIs my hon. Friend aware that the field in which this takes place mostly is that of the mental health hospital and that this involves a high degree of risk where a good deal of attention is needed by persons who should not be overworked? Does it not make nonsense of the numbers given for nurses when some nurses are counted twice?
§ Mr. SnowWe do not have information on this matter. It is obviously a practice which generally should be discouraged if it involves overworking of the nurses concerned and their working long hours. We shall be watching the position, but it is difficult to stop this duplication of employment. It could not be an easy matter to distinguish between additional jobs in a hospital and employment on some entirely different kind of work.
§ Mr. MolloyWhile my hon. Friend is looking at the problem, will he also look into the practice whereby after doing a full stint on duty a nurse is sometimes required then to stand by all through the night? Does he think that that practice is desirable? Is it worth while examining it with the object of eliminating it?
§ Mr. SnowMy hon. Friend's comments will be drawn to the attention of the appropriate advisory committee.