§ Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) under what authority the sister-in-charge of the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, censors or withholds the letters of children to their parents; and what steps are being taken to stop this practice;
(2) why children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, are shut in a bathroom, or tied to a chair; and, if they vomit, are told they will have to eat it;
(3) why children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children, at Hornsea, Yorkshire, are in their night attire at 3.30 p.m.; and whether they are then being put to bed or have not been dressed for the day.
§ Mr. CrossmanI am writing to my hon. and gallant Friend in reply to his recent letters about these allegations.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why, with accommodation for 41 children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, only 19 children are at present in residence;
(2) whether, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions and nature of treatment, and with only half the accommodation occupied, he will close the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, and use the premises for an alternative purpose.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe need for hospital facilities for convalescent children is declining but the Leeds Regional Hospital Board considers that it is still sufficient to warrant keeping open the convalescent hospital for children at Hornsea, the only one remaining in the region.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will state the numbers of nursing, domestic and other staff, respectively, and the total allowed for 41 children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, and the numbers at present employed, stating in 192W each case the qualifications of the nursing staff;
(2) in what grades of nursing staff for the National Health Services Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, difficulty is being experienced in recruitment; whether he is satisfied that the present staff is adequate to run a children's convalescent home of this size and nature; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe information is as follows:
Establishment In-post (whole-time equivalents) Qualifications 1. Nursing staff Matron 1 1 State Registered Sick Children Sisters 1 1¾ State Registered Night Sisters 2 1¾ State Registered Staff Nurse 2 ¾ State Registered Sick Children, Fever Other nursing staff 9 9½ 2. Domestic Staff 4 4½ 3. Other Staff (1) Catering 3 2 (2) Gardener/Handyman 1 1 23 22¼