§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will develop a national strategy to facilitate a rapid increase in the number of training places for(a) general and (b) paediatric intensive care nurses; and if he will make a statement. [35912]
§ Mr. MaloneIt is for local employers, in conjunction with their local education and training consortia, to determine the skills needed and the number of staff required to deliver the services they have contracted to provide. The National Health Service Executive retains overall responsibility and issues annual education and training planning guidance. Nurse training commissions are set to rise generally by about 14 per cent. in 1996–97. The number of students entering paediatric intensive care courses in England has increased consistently since 1991.