§ 24. Mr. Deanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take action to overcome the shortage of operating theatre nurses before the expected report in mid-1969.
§ Mr. EnnalsNursing officers from the Department and from Regional Hospital Boards are constantly advising and assisting hospital authorities in the resolution of their nurse staffing problems.
§ Mr. DeanHas not this been recognised as an urgent problem for many months? Has it not been acknowledged by the Department that many nurses, in addition to working 42 hours a week, are on call in their off-duty hours? Is not this an unsatisfactory situation?
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is true that the pressure on nurses is considerable, but I must again point out that there has been a substantial increase in the number of nurses in our hospitals since 1964. There are now 30 per cent. more than in 1964 and last year's was the highest figure recorded. Of course I recognise the pressures on nurses, particularly in operating theatres where they are substantial, and some of the new developments in neuro-surgery, transplants, haemodialysis and coronary care all put a great deal of pressures on nurses. We are therefore most anxious to encourage recruitment and improve conditions.
§ Dr. SummerskillWould it not increase the present inadequate numbers if married nurses were encouraged to work part-time in operating theatres?
§ Mr. EnnalsI am glad that my hon. Friend has raised that subject. One of the reasons for the substantial increase in the number of nurses has been the good response from married nurses and the arrangements made by hospitals to enable them to return to nursing part time. I strongly recommend hospital management committees to make every 9 facility available for married nurses to return to duty.
§ Mr. LubbockIs it not rather misleading to take the figures showing an increase in the number of nurses bearing in mind the shortening of the hours of work and the more intensive treatment such as the hon. Gentleman has mentioned? Why, more than 20 years after the National Health Service was established, do we still not have objective standards for determining how many nurses are required in particular types of ward?
§ Mr. EnnalsIt is difficult to have one standard, because so much depends on the kind of hospital, the type of operating theatre and the work carried out there, and other factors. It is difficult to establish criteria which are applicable in each case.