§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many agency nurses have been used by the North East Thames region during the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and what are the comparable figures for the North West Thames region.
§ Mr. NewtonThe precise information requested is not available centrally. However, at 30 September 1985, 850 agency nursing and midwifery staff in whole-time equivalent terms were employed by North East Thames region and 1,080 in whole-time equivalent terms were employed by North West Thames region.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he has had with the Royal College of Nursing about the survey being carried out into the reasons why some nurses opt for agency rather than permanent employment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI understand that the Royal College of Nursing, as part of its evidence to the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, has commissioned a survey from the Institute of Manpower Studies on, among other things, the reasons why some nurses opt for agency rather than permanent employment. There is no consultation between the parties on review body evidence, but we shall be studying the RCN's survey with interest in due course.