§ 11. Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the operation in Northern Ireland of the new grading structure for nurses, midwives and health visitors.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe clinical grading criteria recommended by the Nurses Pay Review Body and fully accepted by the Government have been implemented by health and social services boards.
Nurses have sought the introduction of clinical grading for some time and its implementation is a substantial achievement. Those groups with the highest levels of clinical skills and responsibilities have, as was always intended, gone into the higher grades in largest numbers and have therefore received the highest average pay increases. But all staff groups have received a substantial pay rise.