§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will set up a national inquiry into the proper role and functions of health visitors and school nurses;
(2) what studies have been carried out into health visiting and school nursing since the Jameson committee report in 1958; if he is satisfied that there is sufficient information available on which to plan the future development of health visiting and school nursing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThere have been a number of studies relevant to health visiting and school nursing, including the survey by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys of nurses working in the Community, which was sponsored by the Department and published earlier this year. We have recently received a request from the Health Visitors Association for an inquiry into the proper role and function of health visitors and school nurses. We are giving that request serious consideration and will announce our intentions in due course.