§ 18. Dr. Millerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Board of Management of the Coatbridge and Airdrie Group of hospitals has not appointed a matron or principal nursing officer to Hairmyres Hospital ; and when they intend to do so.
§ Mr. MonroNo appointment was made following the retirement of the matron because of the imminence of the implementation of a Salmon scheme for the 1645 hospitals in this group. I understand that the regional hospital board has advised the board of management that the officer acting as matron should be substantively promoted to this post.
§ Dr. MillerI thank the Under-Secretary for that reply. Why has the board taken so long to make this appointment? Will there be retrospective action on the loss of salaries and pension rights involved among the nursing staff in this hospital? Does he accept that in a situation where, as one of the staff of the hospital has written and informed me, a 22-year old third-year nursing student takes home £16.40 per week, it is about time that something was done to implement the report in this and other hospitals in Scotland?
§ Mr. MonroThe hospital boards in Scotland have made substantial progress in moving towards the Salmon structure. Indeed, only 13 out of 65 boards have not implemented the scheme in full. There was delay here because of the retirement of the previous matron and the fact that the chief nursing officer for the whole group has not yet been appointed. However, the board is now moving as quickly as possible. In any event, the new area health board should make the appointment as soon as possible after 30th April.