asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to the suggestions made by Professor A. Whelton, President of An Bord Altranais, on 9th January that senior nurses in Irish hospitals should not have to perform menial duties, that nurses should be recruited at the age of 17 years, and that auxiliary nurses or assistants should be appointed; and whether he will take steps to encourage hospitals to put these suggestions into practice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recruitment of Nurses.
17.
I have seen press reports of Dr. Whelton's recent address on the occasion of a refresher course for nurse tutors.
I understand that Dr. Whelton, being anxious to stimulate new thinking on all aspects of nurses' training and working, put forward, in a personal capacity, a number of suggestions for consideration by those taking part in the course. In such a context, it is appropriate that there should be the fullest discussion of new ideas and controversial issues.
As regards two of the points mentioned in the Deputy's question (that is the age at which nurses commence their training and the employment of auxiliary or assistant nurses), I would expect to have the advice of An Bord Altranais before any change is made in present policy. The question of the duties of senior nurses is one which is kept constantly under review. It can, of course, be accepted as a general statement that an undue amount of the time of such experienced nurses should not be taken up with menial duties. What must not be lost sight of, however, is that the performance of menial duties is often an inescapable part of the personal nursing care of certain patients.