§ 36. Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to undertake any review of the status of nurses within the National Health Service.
§ Dr. VaughanWe are proud of our nurses in this country, with every justification. They already have a very high status in the eyes of their patients and the medical profession. We are, however, looking to see if opportunities for developing a career in nursing can be improved and discussions on this are taking place. We are also considering if a more satisfactory method can be found for determining nurses' pay.
We suggested this at Harrogate early last year, and in August 1980 wrote to both sides of the Whitley council. We have only recently received the staff side's reply. This is particularly unfortunate since it has left very little time before the next pay round, so I have reluctantly had to tell the profession that it now seems unlikely that any major changes can be made in time for the pay round.