§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures he proposes to increase the number of nurses working within the National Health Service with special skills related to geriatric nursing.
§ Mr. NewtonThe measures referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs) on 15 February at column489 aimed at improving nurse recruitment and retention in all specialisms including geriatric nursing. In particular the recently agreed new clinical grading structure, for which the review body will recommend rates from 1 April 1988, will open up improved pay and career opportunities for those who wish to remain in clinical nursing. It will differentiate more clearly between levels of responsibility and competence and will recognise and reward additional skills and responsibility more appropriately.
The health departments' evidence to the review body suggests that the geriatric lead of £165 per annum should continue pending a review during 1988 by the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council, the body responsible for negotiating nurses' terms and conditions of service. The council aims to agree recommendations to the review body in the autumn of 1988.