HC Deb 02 April 1998 vol 309 cc611-2W
Mr. Connarty

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many trusts and health boards in Scotland have implemented the recommendation by the Management Executive of the Scottish Office that midwives should be placed on a minimum of Grade F of the clinical grading structure. [37225]

Mr. Galbraith

Current NHS in Scotland Management Executive guidance issued as NHS MEL (1995) 81 requires thatwhere the nurse clinical grading structure is used and a midwife has a defined caseload of women to whom he/she gives the full range of midwifery care the grades 'F' or 'G' will normally be appropriate".

It is for employers to determine the appropriate grading in the light of local circumstances.

Mr. Connarty

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that the grading of midwives in Scotland is in line with that in other parts of the United Kingdom. [37224]

Mr. Galbraith

Comparable guidance taking account of the Scottish perspective was issued in Scotland in 1995 as NHS MEL (1995) 81.

Mr. Connarty

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many midwives in Scotland are currently employed on Grade D of the clinical grading structure. [37226]

Mr. Galbraith

There were 6 qualified midwives employed in the NHS in Scotland on Grade D at 30 September 1997, the latest date for which information is available centrally.