§ Dr. John Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from nursing unions on the effect of EEC directives on nursing education on staffing levels in hospitals; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI have received no representations from nursing unions on this matter. The EEC directives on the training of nurses were made by the Council of the EEC on 27 June 1977, and I understand that, while the directives were under negotiation, the nursing unions were kept fully informed.
§ Dr. John Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from nurses and their professional bodies and unions about a career structure for nurses in hospitals; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI have not recently received any particular representations from the representative nursing organisations, but career structures for nurses in both hospitals and the community are a matter of continuing interest to the representative organisations, to the Department and to the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.