HC Deb 06 February 1992 vol 203 c276W
Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been conducted, or are under way, into the administrative work loads of doctors, nurses and clinical staff in the professions associated with medicine; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

There are no studies either completed or under way that specifically address the question of administrative work loads of doctors, nurses or professions allied to medicine.

The studies listed on the general work load of general medical practitioners (GMPs) and nurses have helped inform the Department of the administrative functions carried out by these groups.

  1. 1. The "Unnecessary Bureaucracy Working Group" which made recommendations on streamlining the administrative work of GMPs.
  2. 2. A cyclical study, in conjunction with the BMA, on the workload of GMPs. The last study was completed in 1989–90 and the next is scheduled to start in 1993–94.
  3. 3. A recently completed study by York university into nursing care which suggests that a small amount of time spent by nurses on administrative work can be beneficial to the quality of nursing care.
  4. 4. A survey to be commissioned shortly by the Department will address, among other things, the effects of using administrative support in relation to nursing.