§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information he has as to whether health authorities are using the same criteria of specialist knowledge in their regrading processes for staff nurses and sisters;
(2) what information he has as to how many health authorities in England (a) are and (b) are not treating the orthopaedic area as a specialist area for trained nurses and are thus in their regrading taking account of the specialist qualification; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe agreed grading definitions do not refer in terms to specialist knowledge or specialist qualifications, although they are designed to recognise and reward clinical skills and knowledge in all areas of nursing and midwifery. The Department has been working closely with health authorities to ensure that grading is carried out consistently in line with definitions, but it is for authorities themselves to decide how the grading definitions should apply in particular posts or areas of work.