§ 29. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now consider giving a special increment to nurses working in renal dialysis units in respect of the danger they incur from infective hepatitis and the specialist training needed for this work.
§ Mr. AlisonI am aware of the hazards present in the treatment of chronic renal failure and it is for this reason that an expert group under Lord Rosenheim has been set up to consider the medical problems involved. Nurses' pay is a matter for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.
§ Mr. PavittIs it not wrong that a nurse who is nursing in venereal diseases gets an extra £50 a year when she is in no danger at all, yet nurses dealing with kidney machines may well die? Will the hon. Gentleman do two things? First, will he make sure that these nurses get a danger money increment and, secondly, will he look at the whole situation of what happens when a nurse who has probably got a form of dermatitis is infected and as a result is off sick for some time, suffering financial hardship?
§ Mr. AlisonI note what the hon. Gentleman said. I must repeat that the specific details that he brings to our attention must be left to the relevant Whitley Council.