§ 54. Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the current position on nurse recruitment in the Thames region.
§ Mr. NewtonThe ability to recruit varies considerably between health authorities. There are particular recruitment difficulties in mental illness, mental handicap and the specialist acute areas—theatres and intensive care. These recruitment difficulties are more marked in London and the south-east.
The NHS management board has commended a number of measures to improve the recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery staff. It is also currently considering what further action may be required at national or local level in the light of the latest information about the recruitment and retention situation in London.