§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if there are fixed minimum ratios for staffing levels in hospitals which specify the minimum qualification levels of staff.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThere are no prescribed norms for staffing levels in NHS hospitals and I see no need for them. Health authorities must determine what staffing levels are necessary in the light of local circumstances. The minimum qualification requirements will depend on the type and level of post involved.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has that adequate staffing levels are not able to be maintained in any National Health Service hospital.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNone.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence his Department has of nurses having to perform work outside the duties for which they are paid, and of student nurses being given the responsibilities of trained staff because of inadequate staffing levels.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNone, although detailed information about the duties performed by individual nursing staff is not available centrally. It is for individual 273W health authorities to determine the duties performed by such staff, the appropriate staffing levels and the best mix of qualified and other nursing staff to meet service needs. An integral part of student nurses' training consists of practical work in the clinical situation and this practical work involves a degree of responsibility which increases as the students gain experience during their training. They would not be expected to perform duties which were beyond their capabilities.