HC Deb 19 June 1975 vol 893 cc506-8W
Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) where the four pilot modular schemes in nurse education are being conducted;

(2) when she expects to get the results of the research from the four pilot modular schemes of nurse education;

(3) whether legislation to implement the Briggs report on nurse education will be deferred until the four pilot modular schemes have been assessed;

(4) whether she will make a statement about the four pilot modular schemes in nurse education sponsored by the General Nursing Council and her Department.

Mr. Meacher

Four experimental schemes of training based on the recommendations of the Nurse Tutor Working Party were started in 1972 based at the following centres: St. Crispin Group School of Nursing, Northampton; Plymouth District School of Nursing; University College Hospital School of Nursing, London; Glantawe School of Nursing, Swansea.

The Research Unit of the General Nursing Council hopes to produce a report on the schemes in the autumn. The report will include a study of the views of students, tutors and ward sisters.

The aim of the experiments is to test a modular system of training which integrates theory and practice and also a system of streaming which enables the abler students to complete their studies in a shorter time.

The pattern of nurse education and training recommended by the Briggs Committee, while also using the modular system, differs considerably from that suggested by the Nurse Tutor Working Party. While it is hoped that the experience gained of a modular system of training

TABLE 1
BENEFIT AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE EARNINGS*
War pension in respect of ex-private 100 per cent, assessment War pension/Industrial disablement pension 40 per cent, assessment Invalidity benefit†/Retirement pension in respect of a single person
Year (October) Average earnings Rate of benefit Benefit as percentage of average earnings Rate of benefit Benefit as percentage of average earnings Rate of benefit Benefit as percentage of average earnings
£ £ £ £
1950 7.52 2.25 29.9 0.90 12.0 1.30 17.3
1955 11.15 3.38 30.3 1.35 12.1 2.00 17.9
1960 14.53 4.25 29.2 1.70 11.7 2.50 17.2
1965 19.59 6.75 34.5 2.70 13.8 4.00 20.4
1966 20.30 6.75 33.3 2.70 13.3 4.00 19.7
1967 21.38 7.60 35.6 3.05 14.3 4.50 21.1
1968 23.00 7.60 33.0 3.05 13.3 4.50 19.6
1969 24.82 7.60 30.6 3.05 12.3 4.50 18.1
1970 28.05 8.40 29.9 3.35 11.9 5.00 17.8
1971 30.93 10.00 32.3 4.00 12.9 6.00 19.4
1972 35.82 11.20 31.3 4.48 12.5 6.75 18.8
1973 40.92 12.80 31.3 5.12 12.5 7.75 18.9
1974 48.63 16.40 33.7 6.56 13.5 10.00 20.6
* Average earnings of male adult, full time, manual workers in manufacturing and certain other industries as determined by the Department of Employment's regular October inquiry.
† Invalidity benefit was introduced from 23rd September 1971. The figures for earlier years refer to sickness benefit and retirement pensions.

will be of value in implementing the Briggs Committee's recommendations, the differences are such that there would be no justification for delaying action on Briggs until a full assessment is made of these schemes.