Nurses

HC Deb 23 February 1993 vol 219 cc540-1W

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many enrolled nurses, working within the national health service, underwent professional development training(a) prior to and (b) following the implementation of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

Mr. Sackville

This information is not held centrally.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to(a) directly managed hospitals and (b) national health service trusts with regard to funding for conversion courses for enrolled nurses; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Sackville

Regional health authorities and employing authorities are aware of their responsibilities regarding enrolled nurse conversion.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to ensure that opportunities for professional development are open to all enrolled nurses irrespective of ethnic origin.

Mr. Sackville

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff in the national health service. It is an employer responsibility to ensure that professional development opportunities are made available irrespective of ethnic origin.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to encourage enrolled nurses who are not in employment back into the nursing profession; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Sackville

Responsibility for the recruitment of qualified nurses rests with employers.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has(a) to increase and (b) to standardise professional development opportunities for enrolled nurses working within the national health service; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Sackville

We are committed to increasing the number of places available for level two to level one conversion as part of the Project 2000 reforms. Central funding has been made available to facilitate this and on 12 February we announced additional funding for Project 2000 in 1993–94. However, it is for regional health authorities, in consultation with employers, to plan for enrolled nurse conversion.