§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to include dental therapists in a pay review body; and if he will make a statement. [118518]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 11 April 2000]: Our proposals for modernising National Health Service pay which were published in February 1999 in "Agenda for Change", include bringing some groups of highly qualified staff within the scope of the Nursing Pay Review Body, without changing its fundamentally professional character.
Initial discussions with NHS trade unions on pay modernisation resulted in a joint Framework of Principles and Agreed Statement on the Way Forward which was published on 8 October 1999. Para 7.2 of the Joint 212W Framework sets out the following starting point for more detailed discussions with trade unions on the qualifying criteria for groups to come within the scope of the NPRB:
Professions with a minimum entry requirement of three years educational study (or equivalent) to diploma level or higher, in a health specific area (other than medicine or dentistry) and which are state registered and have a substantial majority of members employed in health care.Exceptions might be agreed for staff groups which met the majority but not all of these conditionsStaff groups which support professions added to the NPRB remit, and who have a direct connection with the transferred groups similar to that between nursing auxiliaries and registered nurses would also need to be considered for transfer.I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate that as this is part of continuing confidential discussions with NHS Unions aimed at reaching agreement by summer 2000, I am unable to comment further at this stage.