§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Health how many hospitals in England and Wales normally employ agency nurses; and what is the total number of agency nurses who were so employed on 31st December, 1966.
§ Mr. SnowAbout 200 National Health Service hospitals: 1,332 (including midwives) on 30th September, 1966. Later figures are not yet available.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Health if he will publish figures to show the rates of pay of agency nurses as compared with the rates of pay of nurses directly employed in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. SnowDirectly comparable figures are not available. Information from a number of hospitals in the London area suggests that an agency nurse or midwife may attract fees between about £17 and £22 15s. a week from which the agency deducts its commission. Other fees may be paid in addition, e.g., for laundry and travelling. The salary scales of directly employed staff nurses and staff midwives in London, expressed as a weekly rate, range from £14 14s. 3d. to £18 18s. 10d.