§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what new requirements for entry to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register have been agreed for implementation by 2005 by health visitor members of the NMC since April 2002. [102102]
§ Mr. HuttonIt is for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to propose, and the Privy Council to determine the requirements for entry to the register. The NMC, which comprises equal numbers of nurse, midwife and health visitor members, is considering in consultation with the professions tile parts of the future register and standards required for entry to those.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of respondents to the public consultation on the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register supported direct entry to the proposed third part of the register. [102099]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is an independent statutory body and is required to consult on its proposals for a new register. The NMC has not published a response to its consultation.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the proposed third part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register will allow direct entry for community public healthcare professionals. [102100]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Nursing and Midwifery Council has powers to regulate only the professions of nursing and midwifery.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Nursing and Midwifery Council supports the proposals to expand the third part of the NMC register to include nurses and midwives who work as specialists in community and public health. [102101]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Nursing and Midwifery Council is the body responsible for making proposals in respect of the parts of the register.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will approve a non direct entry proposal for the proposed third part of the NMC Register only as an interim measure until the children's workforce planning group has reported its findings. [102104]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has powers to regulate only the professions of nursing and midwifery. A proposal for a non-direct entry third part of the NMC register will be considered and if appropriate, approved by the Privy Council.
The NMC will want to consider the implications for the register of any report by the children's workforce planning group when that report is available.
464W
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will amend the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 to allow a three part register that is equitable across the three groups regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. [102105]
§ Mr. HuttonNo. The Order allows, if the Council propose it and the Privy Council agree it, for there to be a three part register that is equitable across the three groups regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, each part with a designated title indicative of different qualifications and different kinds of educational training.