asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to regional hospital boards in respect of the implementation of the recommendations of the Salmon Report.
In January 1969 regional hospital boards were asked to start the process of introducing the Salmon senior nursing structure for nursing staffs in groups in their regions. The boards were given advice, based on experience of pilot schemes, on drawing up schemes and on consulting the nursing, medical, and administrative staffs involved.Where difficulties have arisen, the boards concerned have since been given informal guidance over particular problems.
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which hospital boards of management have not implemented the Salmon Report ;
(2) what is the reason for the delay by hospital boards of management in implementing the Salmon Report ; and when it is to be implemented.
Only 13 out of 65 hospital boards of management have not yet implemented the Salmon senior nursing structure. These are:
Western Region
South-Eastern Region
Northern Region
The reason for the delay in introducing the scheme for the Coatbridge, Airdrie and District Hospitals is that no suitable candidate for the post of chief nursing officer has been found despite advertisement of the post on two occasions. For the other boards of management the delay has been mainly caused by geographical considerations. The Salmon Report envisaged that in the sparsely populated regions of Northern Scotland and the islands where hospital groups are very small there would be difficulties in altering the existing arrangements and that it might prove impracticable to implement schemes. I hope that the new health boards will proceed as quickly as possible to implement the remaining Salmon schemes after the appointed day.