HC Deb 12 January 1988 vol 125 c235W
12. Mr. Ray Powell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to review the current level of nurse staffing; and if he will make a statement.

78. Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to review the current level of nurse staffing; and if he will make a statement.

87. Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to review the current level of nurse staffing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moore

Health authority plans for levels of nurse staffing are constantly under review. Nationally the number of nursing and midwifery staff continues to increase. Action is being taken centrally where appropriate to improve the recruitment and retention of such staff.

34. Mr. Andrew MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the current and planned levels of nurses' pay.

Mr. Newton

The pay of nurses, midwives and health visitors is determined in the light of recommendations of the independent Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives and Health Visitors. The review body is currently taking evidence from the Health Departments, trades unions and professional associations with a view to reporting to the Prime Minister in the spring of this year.

The Government have implemented all four reports of the independent review body since it was established in 1984. As a result, nurses' pay has risen by some 16 per cent. in real terms during this period and by nearly 30 per cent in real terms since 1979.

79. Mr. Evennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received concerning nursing staff levels in the South East Thames health region.

Mrs. Currie

Concerns about the effects of nursing sraff shortages, particularly in specialist areas and in inner