HC Deb 05 December 1946 vol 431 cc116-7W
27. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the understaffing of nurses in some hospitals and the relative overstaffing in others, whether any consideration has been given to the possibility of the temporary transference of members of the more fortunate hospitals to the less fortunate.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, Sir. Some help is being given by the better staffed hospitals on a voluntary basis, but as my hon. Friend knows nurses are no longer subject to direction.

Colonel Clarke

asked the Minister of Health if he will inform the House what is the rate of pay for pupil and probationer assistant nurses recommended by the Rushcliffe Committee and accepted by him; and what is the lowest rate of pay plus overtime recommended by the National Council for Staff of Hospitals and Allied Institutions for Female Domestic Workers.

Mr. Bevan

The rates of pay for female pupil and probationer assistant nurses are £55 per annum during the first year of training and £65 during the second, plus residential emoluments valued at £75 per annum. Both grades are in training for enrolment as assistant nurses, and their pay is the same as that for student nurses during the first two years of training for State registration. The minimum national rate for non-resident female domestic workers aged 18 or over is 64s. per week. Where board and lodging are provided there is a deduction of 23s. per week. Payment for hours in excess of 48s. per week is at the rate of time and a quarter for the first three hours and time and a half thereafter.

Colonel Clarke

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many public assistance authorities are finding it impossible, owing to the shortage of assistant nurses, to staff all the sick wards in their institutions, with the result that many persons needing institutional care and treatment have to be left in their own homes; and what steps he is taking to make the profession of assistant nurses a more attractive one.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, Sir. I am about to publish a recommendation of the Nurses Salaries Committee increasing the salary scale of female enrolled assistant nurses.