HC Deb 09 March 1970 vol 797 cc213-4W
50. Mr. Maurice Macmillan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of regional hospital boards are keeping their hospitals below full nursing establishment; and what instructions have been issued by his Department.

Mr. Crossman

Nine of the 14 regional hospital boards have set optimum establishments higher than they are at present able to finance; one has set establishments which are fully financed; four do not have fixed establishments. I have recently asked regional hospital board chairmen to ensure that no hospital which is seriously short of nurses is prevented from recruiting them by lack of funds.