§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many Health Service staff have received payments under the National Health Service injury benefits scheme in the last two years, indicating the range of payments and the average payment;
(2) what action he is prepared to take to improve job opportunities for nurses injured either mentally or physically in the course of their work;
(3) what statistics and other information are kept by his Department on National Health Service staff injured at work; and whether that information is recorded according to type of injury;
(4) whether he will set up a working party to consider the introduction of a no-fault compensation scheme for nurses and other National Health Service staff injured at work;
(5) what advice is given to health authorities on the amount of training which should be given to nurses and other National Health Service staff on the lifting and movement of patients;
(6) whether he will introduce guidelines for health authorities on the resettling in work of nurses injured as a result of their duties, and on whether such a settlement would be of equivalent income, status and job satisfaction.
§ Mr. Newton[holding answer 29 February 1988]: While we recognise the physical stresses which may be experienced by nurses and believe that much can be done to prevent injuries through training in lifting techniques, careful selection of staff and an ergonomic approach to working methods and environment, the instruction and training of NHS staff is the responsibility of the health authorities themselves and of the various training bodies.
The curriculum for nurse learners includes training in the lifting and handling of patients as does the pre-registration training of certain of the professions allied to medicine, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
All NHS staff, including nurses, who are injured or contract a disease in the course of their employment are covered by the NHS injury benefits scheme. This is a no-fault scheme which compensates those injured at work for loss of earnings and which can provide a pension of up to 85 per cent. of NHS earnings where there is a permanent reduction in a person's earning ability. If an employee is absent from work temporarily on reduced or no pay a temporary allowance is payable.
The number of new claims for NHS injury benefits during the last two years were:
- 1986—821
- 1987—896
Benefits range from a once only lump sum payment of 12 per cent. of annual salary to the pension mentioned 554W above plus a once only lump sum of 50 per cent. of annual salary. No figures on average payments or on NHS staff injured at work are held centrally.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act health authorities are responsible for the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees. Current guidance is that staff returning to work after prolonged or repeated sickness may need help and assessment to determine whether changes in working methods, alternative work or rehabilitation are necessary. Appropriate local action is decided in the light of individual circumstances.
We have no plans to issue new guidelines.