§ Mr. SimsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of appeals against nurse regrading remain outstanding at regional and national level at the most recent convenient date; what is the average period that has elapsed since the appeals were lodged; what steps she is taking to expedite the processing of appeals; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleAt 31 December 1992, there were 16,304 appeals outstanding at English regional health authority level and 1,625 at national level. The average period of time that has elapsed since those outstanding appeals were lodged is 23 months at regional level and 11 months at national level. It is the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council to discuss how to bring the process to the earliest possible conclusion.