HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 cc805-6W
Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing posts there are at the(a) Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust and (b) South Somerset NHS Trust which have been vacant for three months or more. [74111]

Ms Blears

The three month vacancy rate1,2 for qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in Taunton & Somerset Hospital National Health Service Trust is 0.3 per cent. This is based on less than five vacancies3 and staff in post of 980 whole time equivalents and 1,260 headcount.

There is no data available for South Somerset Primary Care Trust. This was a new primary care trust in April 2002 after the three month vacancy survey was undertaken.

Source: Department of Health Vacancy Survey 2002Department of Health Non medical workforce census September 2001

Notes:

1. Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2002 which trusts arc actively trying to fill, which have lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalent)

2. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from this survey.

3. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest ten.

4. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.

5. Due to rounding calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rate.

6. Staff in post data is from the non-medical workforce census September 2001.

7. Figures exclude learners.

Lembit Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Nursing and Midwifery Council concerning their processing of registration applications from non-EU qualified nurses with special reference to the efficient process of applications for registration; and if he will make a statement. [74081]

Mr. Hutton

I met with Mr. Jonathan Asbridge, President of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), in July to receive a progress report from him regarding the implementation of the new Nursing and Midwifery Order. The well-publicised problems of the NMC regarding delays in the processing of applications for registrations formed part of those discussions and I am, through my officials, continuing to monitor the progress of the NMC in addressing these issues.

I support the continuing actions taken by the President to resolve the immediate issues and his commitment to undertake a comprehensive review of the systems and processes that the organisation inherited from its predecessor, the United Kingdom central council for nurses, midwives and health visitors (UKCC).

I am advised that the NMC has cleared the backlogs in the UK applications and is continuing to target resources at registration applications from those qualified overseas, from both within and outside the European Union.