§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what arrangements have been made to protect the pay, conditions, training opportunities, career prospects, continuity of service and pension rights in the short, medium and long term of those staff possessing the registered nurse mental health qualification who transfer from health authority to local authority employment as a result of implementation of Government proposals concerning care in the community; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what proposals he is considering concerning the standardisation of the registered nurse mental health qualifications held by employees of health authorities and the certificate of social services held by employees of local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorOur detailed proposals for the future organisation and funding of community care will be published in the forthcoming White Paper. The issues we are considering include the implications for staff who transfer from health authority to local authority employment. A number of certificate in social services schemes now contain an element of joint training leading to the award of both the certificate in social services and entry to part V of the UKCC Register of nurses trained in the nursing of persons suffering from mental handicap. The proposed introduction of the diploma in social work, which will replace both the certificate in social services and the certificate of qualification in social work is expected to increase further the opportunities for joint training.