§ Mr. McENTEEasked the Home Secretary whether proper provision is made in the staffing arrangements in all prisons for officers of the subordinate ranks who have to attend and care for epileptic prisoners and others having physical infirmities, to be certified as being capable, either by prison-hospital experience or by holding nursing certificates from the State Nursing Council; and, if there are any officers not so qualified, what action, if any, does he intend taking?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe female nursing staff are all State registered nurses, and, in addition, hold the certificate of the Central Midwives Board. The male subordinate hospital staff hold the prison nursing certificate whether State registered or not. In certain prison hospitals night duty is performed by selected quasi-permanent temporary officers, a member of the permanent hospital staff being within call. In smaller prisons where there are seldom cases requiring hospital treatment, there are one or more qualified hospital officers on duty by day, while special arrangements are made for cases requiring attention at night.