§ 10. Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in overcoming the shortage of health visitors and midwives in the South-West Durham area.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyI understand that some improvement has been achieved by the employment of part-time health visitors and by the use for certain duties of other nurses to relieve the health visitors. It is also hoped that in September some sponsored health visitor students may take up posts in this area on qualification. The domiciliary midwifery staff has been spread over slightly larger areas, and a radio call service is to be introduced in March.
§ Mr. BoydenThat is much better. Can my hon. Friend make any suggestions which could be carried our locally rather than centrally?
§ Dr. DunwoodyThe proposal to set up a radio call service is an important one in an area like this. My hon. Friend may be interested to know that the initial trial area will be Bishop Auckland.