§ 48. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Minister of Health how many public relations officers are employed by regional hospital boards; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the public relations of the hospital service as a whole.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonOne such appointment has been made: in other regions the function is carried out as part of the work of senior officers. I am considering what can be done generally to improve the public relations of the hospital service.
§ Mr. LewisDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that there is a heavy weighting of expertise in public relations in London? Would there not be great advantage to the regional hospital boards if they had more assistance in this direction?
§ Mr. RobinsonIt so happens that the region where this experimental appointment has been made is Sheffield. I agree with the hon. Gentleman about the need for cultivating good relations between hospital authorities and the Press, and I have certainly impressed this upon hospital boards and committees.