§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the(a) morale and (b) recruitment pattern of NHS nurses. [14781]
§ Mr. HoramMorale and recruitment issues are matters for local health service employers. Evidence is considered by the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine and its conclusions are published in annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library.
On 29 January, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced a £32 million initiative to enhance the existing policies to recruit and retain, and encourage the return to work of nursing staff.