§ 4. Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will establish a committee of inquiry into the causes and consequences of the staff shortages at the City General Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent.
§ Mr. AlisonNo, Sir. The staffing situation at the City General Hospital reflects the position throughout the National Health Service in that there is a general shortage of trained staff. The Birmingham Regional Hospital Board is well aware of the problem and has always accepted that a high priority should be given to recruitment and training of staff.
§ Mr. GoldingIs it not a shocking admission from the Government that the shortage of nurses is a national problem? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this case a shortage of seven nurses has meant that an operating theatre has been only half used, despite a massive waiting list for surgery? Is he further aware that the number of beds offered in North Staffordshire is fewer now than it was in 1970? Is he also aware that I have received representations that the recruitment of nurses in North Staffordshire is very inefficient and ineffective, given that there are many married women who would like to return to nursing if the conditions were made appropriate for them?
§ Mr. AlisonWe have not got enough nurses, although the number now is higher than it was 12 months ago, having gone up nationally by as much as 7i per cent. to a higher level than ever, and in the Birmingham region by 8 per cent. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are not complacent about the situation. If his allegation that mature nurses are not effectively being reached through advertising is correct, I will look into that aspect.