§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to increase the number of qualified nursing tutors in the Hospital Service.
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§ Mr. EnnalsTwo new training courses for nurse tutors have been introduced in recent years, financial help for those being trained has been improved and I hope that the General Nursing Council will soon be able to arrange for a further course to be started. The introduction of the structure of nurse staffing recommended by the Salmon Committee and the grouping of nurse training schools will lead to improvement in the career prospects of tutors and their pay was increased from 1st January, 1969, under the recent agreement of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council. The numbers and pattern of teaching staff required are being studied as indicated by my right hon. Friend the former Minister of Health in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Morpeth (Mr. Will Owen) on 15th July last.—[Vol. 768, c.165–166.]
§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to co-ordinate training in midwifery and nursing to encourage fully-trained midwives to become State registered nurses.
§ Mr. SnowNinety per cent. of women qualifying as midwives in 1967–68 were already State registered nurses or registered sick children's nurses. A further 5 per cent. had other nursing qualifications. Midwives are allowed six months' reduction in the periods of training required for registration or enrolment as nurses.
§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to increase the salary of chief nursing officers, in view of the need to provide an adequate salary structure for the nursing profession.
§ Mr. SnowThe present salaries of chief nursing officers are based on the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes. The Board recommended that these salaries should last until 31st March, 1970.