HC Deb 13 March 1986 vol 93 c567W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the names of those district health authorities where the most senior adviser to the health authority is the director of nurse education;

(2) what are the names of those district health authorities which, consequent on the Griffiths committee recommendations, have (a) abolished the post of chief nursing officer or its equivalent and (b) appointed such officers but have not made them members of the district management board.

Mr. Hayhoe

Every health authority has identified a chief nursing adviser to be the principal source of professional advice on nursing matters to the authority and to be responsible for monitoring professional standards of nursing care throughout the authority. Titles vary although I understand that 73 health authorities have retained the title of chief or district nursing officer. Where the chief nursing adviser is not a full member of an authority's management board or team it should be by agreement locally. I regret that information is not held centrally on the members of authorities where this is the case, or where the chief nursing adviser role is also combined with that of director of nurse education although I understand that only a small number of authorities are involved.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of district health authority chairmen and chairwomen who wished to continue in office but who were not reappointed in each year since 1979, together with their length of service.

Mr. Hayhoe

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the names of those health authorities which, consequent on the implementation of the Griffiths committee's recommendations, have proposed early retirement or required termination of employment of nurses, together with the relevant number in each authority.

Mr. Hayhoe

I regret that no information is held centrally on termination of employment other than by early retirement. To date my Department has been informed of nine early retirements of nurses resultant to the implementation of general management, one in each of the following health authorities:

  • North West Durham
  • Great Yarmouth and Waveney
  • Peterborough
  • South West Hertfordshire
  • Hillington
  • Isle of Wight
  • Winchester
  • Cheltenham
  • Solihull