§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures the Government are taking to ensure that there are adequate staff in specialties, including geriatrics and psychogeriatrics, where pay increases will be between 4 and 6 per cent.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Government share the view of the Nurses' Pay Review Body that the new clinical structure offers an outstanding opportunity to improve the attractions of nursing as a career and that it will play an important part in improving recruitment and retention. Nurses in geriatric and psychogeriatrics stand to benefit from the new structure and from this year's average pay award of 15.3 per cent. and many working in these specialties will receive pay increases significantly in excess of 6 per cent.