§ 70. Mr. Mayhewasked the Minister of Health how far the numbers of male and female nurses at present employed in mental hospitals fall short of establishment; and what were the comparable figures for 1955 and 1956.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe estimated shortages, of male and female nursing staff in mental hospitals at 31st March, 1957, the latest date for which figures are available, were 2,450 and 4,000 respectively. The comparable figures at 31st December, 1955, were 3,100 and 5,150 and at 30th September, 1956, 2,900 and 4,500.
§ 71. Mr. Mayhewasked the Minister of Health why he cannot make available figures of average length of stay of patients discharged from individual mental hospitals.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am about to review statistical arrangements in this field, but my present impression is that to prepare these figures for individual hospitals would involve considerable additional labour, dis-proportionate to the value of the information.
§ 74. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that members of the Confederation of Health Service Employees are operating a ban on overtime at certain mental hospitals; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNurse members of the Confederation of Health Service Employees are at present refusing to work overtime in eleven mental and mental deficiency hospitals. The Confederation have stated that this action has been taken in furtherance of their campaign for improved salaries and conditions of service and for the establishment of a separate Whitley Council for mental and mental deficiency nurses. I have no evidence that the treatment or care of patients has been affected, though in some hospitals social activities have had to be curtailed.