§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health following the clinical regrading exercise how many appeals against grading were(a) lodged with the Northern regional health authority, (b) heard to date, (c) successful and (d) have yet to be heard; what is the average length of time for an appeal to be heard; and what advice and resources are being applied to deal with the backlog.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyAt 31 December 1990, 194 nurse clinical grading regional appeals had been referred to Northern regional health authority for hearing under the procedures established by the General Whitley Council. I understand that of 49 regional appeals heard so far, 10 have been decided in favour of the appellant. There is no estimate of how long it will take for any particular regional appeal to be heard. The regional health authority will make every effort to operate the appeals process as quickly as possible.