§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the number of female nurses employed in the male wards of mental hospitals; and whether the question of this being a suitable occupation for women has been considered?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe number of women nurses now employed in the nursing of male patients in public mental hospitals is approximately 320, who are mainly employed in the infirmary wards. The general principle has been the subject of careful consideration by the central and local authorities for many years past, and the practice of employing women in the nursing of selected male patients is of long standing. The Royal Commission on Lunacy, which reported in 1926, recommended the more general employment of women nurses in certain male wards.