§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by the West Sussex Social Care NHS trust on funding nurses to travel to Australia; and what the purpose of their visits was. [145006]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonIn line with our policy on "Shifting the Balance of Power", responsibility for local services now rests with local national health service trusts. In the same way continuing professional development and post-registration training needs for all NHS health care staff are determined locally through skills auditing of teams against priority local needs and through the appraisal process.
I am informed by the Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority that two senior nurses attended the 14th International Symposium for the Psychological Treatment of Schizophrenia in Melbourne to present a paper on early intervention into psychosis, and to acquire and share knowledge and good practice.
In addition to the conference itself there were also visits to assertive outreach and early intervention services.
The hotel bills and airfare came to £3000 and were purchased through Hourds who are on the national contract. There were also subsistence expenses of around £200 each.