§ 53. Mrs. Braddockasked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the staff side of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council regarding the dispute in connection with the Council's failure to agree terms of reference to the Industrial Court with regard to the dispute on annual leave for nursing assistants in psychiatric hospitals.
§ Mr. PowellI met a deputation on 26th January.
§ 54. Mrs. Braddockasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the staff position in many psychiatric hospitals where whole wards are being supervised by unqualified personnel, some of whom have only recently come to England from overseas; and what steps he will take to deal with the problem.
§ Mr. PowellI am aware that unqualified staff sometimes supervise wards, with qualified staff on call. Close supervision by qualified staff is not always necessary or indeed desirable.