HC Deb 20 June 1966 vol 730 cc6-7W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he will issue instructions to all hospitals that when the state registration examination falls on the day off allocated to the examinee, she shall be given another day's leave to compensate;

(2) if he will issue instrutcions to all hospitals that nurses who, at the culmination of three years' training, sit for the examination for state registration, shall not, at the end of the five hours such examinations take, go straight on to ward duty;

(3) if he will issue instructions to all hospitals that after sitting for five hours in examination to become state registered, nurses shall not be asked to go go on night duty within 24 hours.

Mr. K. Robinson

The organisation of nursing duty rotas is a matter for hospital authorities, but I understand it is normal practice for time spent on this examination to be regarded as time on duty. I feel sure that nurses would only be asked to undertake day or night duty immediately following final examinations in those exceptional cases where the need to maintain essential services to the patients left no alternative. I should be glad to investigate any individual case of difficulty which may be brought to my notice.