§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the incidence of financial hardship among student nurses; and if he will make a statement; [120412]
(2) what representations he has received about the proposal to award employee status to student nurses; and if he will make a statement; [120406]
(3) what recent representations he has received regarding financial support for student nurses; and if he will make a statement. [120407]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 3 May 2000]: Information gathered by the National Health Service Executive's Regional Offices during 1999 reported a total of 105 payments to degree level students (less than 1 per cent. of the student population) from the NHS Hardship Fund. This year's review of student support arrangements will include examination of the provision made for those unfortunate enough to suffer hardship during their training and will encompass both degree and diploma students.
We are aware of the support among student nurses regarding the proposal to award them employee status. Indeed, this issue was discussed at a recent meeting with the Head of UNISON Health Group. However, the move away from students' status as employees accompanied improvements in nurse education, which moved training from the health service to higher education, and gave students supernumerary status thereby strengthening their educational experience. These changes were, and still are, supported by the Royal College of Nursing.
We want to ensure that as many nurses as possible complete their training and go on to work in the NHS, and we recognise the need, therefore, to provide student nurses with the support they need throughout their course. That is why the NHS Bursary Scheme continues to provide more generous support than that available to other students in higher education, and why bursary rates are being increased again by the rate of inflation from September—the third successive annual increase.