§ 82. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health the shortage of nurses and student nurses in the area of the North-Eastern Regional Board; in what hospitals, within its area, the shortage is acute; approximately, the number or percentage of nurses or student nurses who are of Commonwealth, foreign and Irish origin, respectively; and what efforts are being made to offer nursing training to suitable Hungarian women refugees.
§ Mr. TurtonThe shortage of hospital nursing staff in the North-East Metropolitan area is estimated by the Regional Board to be about 2,700, including about 600 vacancies for student nurses. I am sending the hon. Member the figures for each hospital management group. Information concerning the nationality of nursing staff is not available. Arrangements have been made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to offer nursing training to suitable Hungarian refugees.
§ 90. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Health how many beds are unoccupied in the hospitals covered by the Tees-side Hospital Management Committee due to shortage of nursing staff; and what he is doing to recruit more nurses.
§ Mr. Turton38 beds at one hospital. The hospital management committee is taking special measures to foster local interest in nursing as a career, and hopes that the introduction of new clinical services will also help to attract staff.
§ 92. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of nurses in the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board area and what 106W action he is taking to enable the management committees to increase their recruitment.
§ Mr. TurtonYes, but I am informed that the recruitment position is improving. The most serious shortages are in the mental and mental deficiency hospitals and I would refer the hon. Member to the very full answer my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 26th November.