HC Deb 27 October 1989 vol 158 c630W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what administrative costs have so far been incurred at district health authority level in dealing with appeals made in accordance with section 32 of the General Whitley Council handbook against the imposition of particular grades under the new clinical grading structure;

(2) what are the projected costs of dealing with appeals made in accordance with section 32 of the General Whitley Council handbook against the imposition of particular grades under the new clinical grading structure made at district, regional and national levels;

(3) what extra funds have been set aside to meet the administrative costs of appeals made in accordance with section 32 of the General Whitley Council handbook against the imposition of particular grades under the new clinical grading structure at district, regional and national levels.

Mr. Mellor

Detailed information about health authorities' particular administrative expenditure is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate cost.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, in view of the number of clinical grading appeals from nurses, he will instruct Health Service managers to return to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute over the interpretation of the clinical grading criteria of continuing responsibility and supervision.

Mr. Mellor

I understand that these issues were discussed at length in the nursing and midwifery staffs negotiating council last year without agreement being reached between the staff and management sides. We share the yew of the management side that further discussions would not now be a helpful way forward, since the prospect of reaching agreement has not improved.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funding has been made available by the Government to date in respect of successful nurse grading appeals.

Mr. Mellor

In 1988–89 the Government made available to health authorities in England additional funding of £731 million to meet the cost of the nurses pay and regrading exercise. This figure, which was based on health authorities' own estimates, includes the further £98 million announced in October 1988 to meet in full the final cost of the clinical regrading exercise. The total sum has been rolled forward to 1989–90 and this together with the substantial real terms increase in resources announced in the 1988 Autumn Statement provides authorities with sufficient resources to plan flexibly to meet the cost of successful appeals.