§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost, in the last year for which figures are available, to the National Health Service of back injuries to National Health Service employees caused by their work; how many working days are lost through such injuries; what advice was given to health authorities by his Department following the 1984 report of the Health and Safety Commission on the lifting of patients in the Health Services; and what response there has been from health authorities.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe do not collect this sort of detailed information centrally. The Healh and Safety Commission's report on the lifting of patients in the Health Services has been sent to every health authority. The Department has received the report of a major research project into back injuries sustained by nurses and other health service workers by the University of Surrey. We are examining its recommendations together with those of the Health and Safety Commission and other reports with a view to considering what further advice can usefully be given to health authorities.