HC Deb 01 February 1999 vol 324 cc523-4W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the charging of nurses for their uniforms by colleges. [68465]

Mr. Denham

Uniforms are provided free of charge to nursing students. They are provided either by the local National Health Service trust or by the higher education institution; in the latter case, the costs are met through NHS contracts. A case came to our attention last week where a university was seeking to charge for nurses' uniforms, in a way not sanctioned by their contract. As soon as we heard about the proposal we asked officials to investigate and the university concerned has now withdrawn its proposal. NHS education commissioners have been reminded of the policy in this area.