§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received concerning the present pattern of nurses shifts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI am not aware of any representations, although I am aware of some local difficulties over proposed changes in the pattern of nurses shifts.
Detailed rostering arrangements are for local decision. Following reports by our auditors in 1983 of apparently wasteful use of nursing time due to log shift overlaps in some places, health authorities were asked to review this matter generally. Several health authorities have managed to re-order their nursing rosters to achieve more efficient working patterns without detriment to the service. It is important that others do the same and all should keep shift patterns under constant review.
Health authorities are asked to report any changes in the deployment of nursing staff in their short-term programmes and the matter will also feature in the normal review process as necessary.