§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Health what are the grades and salaries of regional blood donor organisers employed by each regional hospital board, together with any additional payments they may receive.
§ Mr. RobinsonThe grading and salary scale for the Blood Donor Organiser in each hospital region and in Wales are as shown below.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Health what are the reasons for the different scales of payments made to regional blood donor organisers in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. RobinsonGradings in the National Health Service are governed by the duties and responsibilities of each post. Regional Hospital Boards determine the gradings of staff up to the Senior Administrative grade, but require my approval for higher gradings.
61WAll regional blood donor organiser posts were formerly graded Senior Administrative. Recently the Liverpool post was upgraded to Principal Administrative Assistant after a successful appeal through the Whitley Council machinery. At the request of one of the trade unions concerned my Department has since been conducting a general review of these posts.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Health if he will introduce an assisted payment scheme for the purchase of a car for those officers employed as regional donor organisers, deputy regional donor organisers, or assistant regional donor organisers, in the National Blood Transfusion Service, where a car is considered essential for the satisfactory carrying out of their duties.
§ Mr. RobinsonAssistance is not given to officers in the hospital service for the purchase of cars but I will review the matter to satisfy myself that the present policy should be maintained.