§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health whether on the occasion of his recent visit to Farnborough Hospital, complaints and representations made to him were made in the presence and hearing of all the parties concerned?
§ Miss HorsbrughIn the course of my right hon. Friend's visit to the hospital he saw the superintendent matron and the matron together in order that each might make any representations in the presence of the other. The superintendent matron adopted this course, but the matron asked to be allowed to make her statement to him in private, to which with the consent of the superintendent matron, he agreed. Before leaving the hospital he discussed the position with the chairman of the public assistance committee.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the grave discontent at Farnborough Hospital, he will hold a public inquiry, presided over by an independent chairman, at which evidence can be taken on oath, witnesses cross-examined and the parties represented by counsel, and thus help to remove a sense of injustice and victimisation which prevails there?
§ Miss HorsbrughNo, Sir. My right hon. Friend felt no doubt, after personal investigation, as to the necessity of the action which he has taken regarding the matron, and he is not aware of any other matters affecting the administration of the hospital which would justify holding a public inquiry.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will give the reasons why the matrons at Orpington, Farnborough and Pembury hospitals have recently been relieved of their duties; (2) what were the terms under which Miss Cross, the matron of Orpington Hospital was offered alternative employment?
§ Mr. E. BrownAs to the matron of Farnborough Hospital I would refer to my reply to another Question by my hon. Friend to-day. I am informed that the matron at Orpington hospital, who is transferring to another appointment as matron under the same authority, is not a senior poor law officer the termination of whose employment requires my consent, and the matter is therefore one for52W the Kent County Council as the employing authority. I am informed that her new appointment carries the same salary and emoluments as at Orpington. I am also informed that the matron at Pembury hospital has ceased to be employed by reason of the death of her husband, the master, with whom she held a joint appointment.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health what provision is being made for the continuance of a nursing staff school at Farnborough Hospital; and what tutorial experience Miss lies, the matron, has?
§ Mr. BrownI am informed that the sister tutor now responsible for the training of student nurses will continue to perform these duties under the superintendence of Miss lies who, although she has not, so far as I am aware, held a tutorial post, is well acquainted with the modern methods of training.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health the cost of providing and erecting a marquee on the lawn at Farnborough Hospital, including the cost of heating, light, laying on of water and flooring; the period during which the marquee was in use as a sitting-room and dining-room for the nursing staff; and why the problem of blacking-out a marquee was not realised before the decision to erect it was taken?
§ Mr. BrownThis marquee was one of several erected as extra accommodation at hospitals at the outbreak of war, as a temporary expedient while hutments were being completed. I am not able to give exact figures of subsidiary costs involved, but I understand that the cost of providing and flooring the marquee itself was something less than £250. The marquee was removed after damage by a gale some two months after its erection. I am not aware of any particular black-out problem which was not appreciated before erection.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health what complaints there have been from the nursing staff at Farnborough Hospital with regard to their feeding; and is he satisfied that the 16s. 6d. ration for doctors and the 13s. 6d. ration for nurses is being fairly apportioned?
§ Mr. BrownI have not received any such complaints. If any are made to me, I shall be glad to investigate them.
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§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health why the wards run by the public assistance staff at Farnborough Hospital indent for one tin of harpic per fortnight, and those run by the Guy's staff indent for six?
§ Mr. BrownI have no information on this subject, which appears to be entirely a domestic one for the authorities of the hospital to deal with.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health what experience Miss lies, matron of Farnborough Hospital, has had in hospital administration; and how long is it since she held a comparably important administrative post?
§ Mr. BrownFrom 1922 to 1937 Miss lies has held a number of posts in hospitals, including one as assistant matron of a provincial hospital, and another as acting assistant matron of an important London hospital. I am advised that her previous experience fully qualifies her for the post which she now holds at Farnborough.