Would the Minister agree that the concept of the matron has been watered down by having rather a lot of them, instead of one figurehead who really could move around the hospital like a galleon in full sail and frighten people into doing what was right?

Would the Minister agree that the concept of the matron has been watered down by having rather a lot of them, instead of one figurehead who really could move around the hospital like a galleon in full sail and frighten people into doing what was right?

Does the hon. Lady agree that if we both get back on the Health Committee after the election, we should push for an examination of the way in which the European working time directive is being applied and its effects?

Does the hon. Lady agree that if we both get back on the Health Committee after the election, we should push for an examination of the way in which the European working time directive is being applied and its effects?

I remember that one entirely; we were all told that. Inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation are absolutely crucial, but nobody had listened to this kid's chest or tapped it, which is what Auenbrugg, the inventor of percussion, did on beer barrels. I am afraid that poor little kid died after...

I remember that one entirely; we were all told that. Inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation are absolutely crucial, but nobody had listened to this kid's chest or tapped it, which is what Auenbrugg, the inventor of percussion, did on beer barrels. I am afraid that poor little kid died after...

It is a pleasure to serve under your encouraging and benign chairmanship, Mr. Russell, and to follow the Chair of our Health Committee. I am pleased, too, that five of the really active members of our Committee are present in the Chamber. I am accused at home of doing this...

It is a pleasure to serve under your encouraging and benign chairmanship, Mr. Russell, and to follow the Chair of our Health Committee. I am pleased, too, that five of the really active members of our Committee are present in the Chamber. I am accused at home of doing this...

During the years of deficit, strict vacancy freezes were put in place in all trusts. Will the Secretary of State reassure us that the vacancy freezes in Mid Staffordshire were not followed by a permanent reduction in nursing posts?

During the years of deficit, strict vacancy freezes were put in place in all trusts. Will the Secretary of State reassure us that the vacancy freezes in Mid Staffordshire were not followed by a permanent reduction in nursing posts?