§ 33. Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any changes have been made in the provision of training for nurses and midwives since 1978–79.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyYes. There have been important and far-reaching changes over this period.
The Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979, in setting up the United Kingdom Central Council and four national boards, one for each country in the United Kingdom, introduced a unified statutory structure for the nursing, midwifery and health professions. Under this Act, the council is responsible for establishing and improving standards of training for the nursing professions.
In January 1987 the council presented to the four Health Departments proposals, known as Project 2000, for a major reform of nurse education and training. These proposals, designed to secure a more appropriately prepared profession better able to meet future health 709W needs, have been largely accepted by the Government. By April 1990, a total of 13 Project 2000 schemes will have started in England. We hope to announce further sites shortly.
The past decade has also seen the development of a variety of links between schools and colleges of nursing and further/higher education establishments. There has been a growth in the number of degree courses in nursing and associated degree courses combined with registered nurse training. Several chairs of nursing have been established within universities, to enhance developments in nurse education and practice.
Curricula for pre-registration nurse education have developed to ensure that all nursing staff are able to meet changing demands in health care. In particular there has been a growth in post-registration courses in high technology areas to meet advances in medical technology.