§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the savings to the NHS budget which could be made by implementing the recommendations in the report, Improving the Health of the NHS Workforce; and if he will make a statement. [62116]
§ Mr. MilburnIt is difficult to estimate, at this stage, what savings might accrue from the successful implementation of the recommendations of the Nuffield report, but it is acknowledged that a reduction of 1 per cent. in staff sickness absence would release £140 million per annum for patient care.