§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts are being made to recruit permanent nursing staff to Her Majesty's prison, Holloway; and what plans there are to improve C2 psychiatric unit.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggCampaigns to recruit permanent nursing staff are undertaken regularly. Arrangements for the next campaign are in hand. Plans to replace the present facilities for psychiatric assessment with a purpose-built unit are being pursued.
§ Mr. Corbyn(Islington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the approved complement for medical units at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway; what is the current shortfall in permanent staff; and how often agency nurses are used to make up the numbers.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe approved complement of nursing staff is 84. On 17 April 1989 a total of 47 of the196W posts were filled and 17 others were covered by agency nurses. Agency staff have been used for some years as a consequence of recruitment difficulties in London.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long the position of health care manager/chief medical officer has been vacant at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway; and when this vacancy will be filled.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe decision to create a post of health care manager was taken in September 1987. The post has been vacant since then. An appointment has now been made and takes effect on 1 May 1989.