§ 41. Mr. Durantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations she has received from the Royal College of Nursing on her circular about agency nurses.
§ Mr. MeacherOver the last 12 months a number of representations have been received about:
- —making it easier for NHS nurses to work additional hours to discourage them from working after duty as agency nurses;
- —providing an element in the agency nurses' pay to compensate them for lack of paid annual leave, sick leave, superannuation provision etc.;
- —reviewing the effect of the circular and introducing modifications to ensure adequate nursing coverage where in the absence of permanent staff authorities have to rely on agency staff to maintain essential services.