HC Deb 22 February 1994 vol 238 cc179-80W
Rev. Ian Paisley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for training managers of trusts in entrepreneurial skills.

Mr. Ancram

Significant additional funds have been set aside specifically to support the development of managers in the purchasing and providing roles, including HSS trusts, to ensure an excellence of delivery of Northern Ireland health and personal social services.

The assessment of individual training needs within HSS trusts is a matter for the trusts themselves, but where specific requirements are indentified, the HPSS management executive is empowered to co-ordinate or facilitate the provision of suitable packages. HPSS managers participate in a range of local and national training programmes.

Staff at director level in HSS trusts are eligible to participate in the top management development programme, an integral part of which is the formulation of a personal development plan. The plan aims to identify specific gaps in skills which can then be filled with appropriate training and development packages.