§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the first batch of Junior Scholarship young people will begin working within the NHS; and if he will make a statement; [88068]
(2) how many young people are expected to take part in the Junior Scholarships scheme as part of the NHS University; and if he will make a statement. [88067]
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§ Mr. HuttonThe Department of Health has recently launched a development plan for the National Health Service University entitled "Learning for everyone". The plan contains a range of proposals, options and questions on how NHSU could support learning for staff working in and for the NHS.
NHSU is currently undertaking a period of consultation with the NHS, with clinical teams, staff and managers, and with stakeholders including higher and further education institutions on what role NHSU should play in supporting learning and what its priorities should be.
One proposal in the development plan is to offer junior scholarships to young people aged 14, 15 and 16 years. The aim of these scholarships is to encourage people from communities that are under-represented in our health services to consider 'earning and learning' opportunities in the NHS.
The operation of junior scholarships will build on existing development within the NHS being led by work force development confederations. The scheme will require local partnerships between schools, NHS work force development confederations and trusts, parents and the young people themselves.
An indicative number of 100 places per year per work force development confederation (around 3,000 places nationally) has been proposed.
The details of the scholarships will be developed following the period of consultation, which concludes in February next year, taking into account comments and feedback received. The scheme is likely to be piloted in 2003.