§ 40. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of mental nurses in the hospitals of the south-west region; that wards are understaffed; that untrained and partly trained nurses are called upon to perform trained work; that at one hospital the night male nurses have to sleep in rooms adjoining patient's dormitories; and if he will take steps to remedy this position and to attract more nurses.
§ Mr. TurtonYes. I am aware of the shortage of mental nurses and of the difficulties to which it gives rise, not only in the South-Western Regional Hospital area, but in other areas also. As to the measures taken to remedy the situation, I would refer the hon. Member to the very full reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Ire-monger) on 31st October last. I am glad to be able to add that the latest returns for England and Wales as a whole show a welcome increase in the numbers of student mental nurses enrolled for training.