§ Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the costs of staffing one nursing position in a National Health Service hospital ward for 52 weeks each of 40 hours by a State registered nurse with three years' qualified nursing experience, taking into account salary, current Inner London weighting allowance, threshold payments, employer's contribution for insurance and superannuation, uniform and laundering, provision for replacement during holidays and absence through sickness, and by a State registered agency nurse in comparable circumstances.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe cost of staffing one position in a National Health Service general hospital ward by a State registered nurse on the basis given by the hon. Gentleman is estimated to be £3,517 per annum, assuming replacement for annual and sick leave absences by a nurse at the same incremental point on the scale.
As I said in my reply to the hon. Gentleman on 22nd January—[Vol. 884, c. 392.]—charges differ from one agency to another, but sample inquiries indicate that the cost of an agency State registered nurse, working 40 hours per week on day duty, excluding weekends, could range between £3,000 and £4,000 per annum.