asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the establishment of a central bureau where girls seeking admission to the nursing profession might apply and so obviate the need for applicants to apply to many hospitals in the hope that they will be accepted by one.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nursing Profession Admissions.
4.
I indicated to the House on 18th December last in Volume 286, columns 2139 and 2140 of the Official Report, that recruitment and selection procedures will be considered by the working party which is at present examining the general nursing services. I have asked the working party to let me have their views on the question of central or regional recruitment if possible in advance of their final report.
Can the Minister state what his own views are in this regard?
I realise the frustration of numbers of young girls who, having passed their leaving certificate, make application to become trainee nurses. The practice now is that they make application to 20, 30 or 40 teaching schools. I would be in favour—I say this without having the report of the working party before me and only by way of a general observation—of a little more streamlining by, for example, the establishment of a bureau for an area at which girls who want to become nurses would register and from which selections could be made by the hospitals. It might be relatively simple to do that in respect of health board hospitals but not so easy in the case of voluntary hospitals. I have asked the working party to give me a view on this particular matter.
How soon would the Minister expect to have these observations?
I could not say. The working party was established last autumn but membership was not finally filled until a month or two ago. I have asked them to give me some view or indication of what they would like to happen before they come to any final conclusions on a general review of the nursing service.
Would the Minister expect to see changes by next year?
I would love to but I cannot anticipate what the recommendation may be.
Is it possible to assess the number of vacancies available to girls wishing to become nurses in the profession each year?
I am sure that should not be impossible but it would have to be done by the teaching hospitals, not by me.
Would the Minister be able to find out the number of posts available?
I will see if that can be done. I do not know whether it can or not, but I will find out.
Will I put down another question on the matter?
No. I will write to the Deputy and let him know the result.