HC Deb 13 March 2000 vol 346 cc59-60W
Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average starting pay for(a) clinical psychologists, (b) clinical scientists, (c) speech and language therapists and (d) health advisers on sexually transmitted diseases working in the NHS. [113202]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: The pay of clinical psychologists, clinical scientists and speech and language therapists is negotiated in the Scientific and Professional Staffs Whitley Council. The Council's agreement provides for staff to be appointed to any point on the appropriate grade pay scale. The pay scales are:

  • Clinical psychologists
  • Clinical psychologist grade A
  • £14,949 minimum to £34,065 maximum—effective from 1 December 1998.
  • Clinical scientists
  • Clinical scientist grade B
  • £18,734 minimum to £35,087 maximum—effective from 1 April 1999.
  • Speech and language therapists
  • Speech and language therapist grade 1
  • £14,237 minimum to £14,806 maximum—effective from 1 April 1999

There are no nationally agreed pay scales for health advisers on sexually transmitted diseases working in the NHS. We do not collect information about their starting pay centrally.

Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of staff morale in the professions working in the NHS who are not covered by the NHS pay review body. [113197]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: As part of the national Human Resource strategy "Working Together—Securing a quality workforce for the NHS" we have asked National Health Service trusts to carry out a staff attitude survey by April 2000.

Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the professions within the NHS that are not covered by the NHS Pay Review Body. [113204]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: National Health Service staff groups not covered by the remit of the pay review bodies are Administrative and Clerical, Ancillary, Ambulance (staff and officers), Maintenance, Professional and Technical (B), and Scientific and Professional.