§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the British Medical Association regarding(a) the principles of local pay determination and (b) linking pay to performance.
§ Mr. MaloneDiscussions have taken place and are continuing with the British Medical Association on our proposals for the introduction of local pay arrangements in the national health service and the modification of the distinction awards scheme.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the representatives of nursing staff regarding pay increases and conditions.
§ Mr. MaloneDiscussions are continuing within the Nursing and Midwifery Staffs Negotiating Council about local pay arrangements for 1995–96.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had regarding the effects on pay agreements negotiated on a local basis with particular regard to regional inequalities.
§ Mr. MaloneRepresentations from employers have welcomed the opportunity provided by locally negotiated pay to respond flexibly to labour market conditions and differing working arrangements. Those received from organisations representing national health service staff have argued for retention of national rates of pay.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that any statement regarding national health service pay is made to the doctors and nurses and other employees organisations before departmental press releases are issued.
§ Mr. MalonePress statements are used by the Department to convey quickly key messages or key facts to the press and through them to their readers. On the infrequent occasions when national health service pay is the subject of a departmental press release it is normal practice for organisations representing doctors and nurses and professional bodies and trade unions representing other employees to be informed in advance.
Region RHAs DHAs FHSAs Trusts Special Trustees SHAs Total North Thames 1 15 12 57 15 4 104 South Thames 1 16 10 60 4 0 91 Trent 1 10 8 41 2 0 62 West Midlands 1 15 11 47 1 0 75 North West 1 17 16 62 0 0 96 Northern and Yorkshire 1 15 16 57 3 0 92 Anglia and Oxford 1 10 8 46 0 1 66 South and West 1 12 9 49 1 1 73 Total 8 110 90 419 26 6 659 Key:
Regional health authorities, district health authorities, family health services authorities, operational NHS trusts, special trustees and special health authorities.
Information on the number of people involved locally in an administrative capacity is not available centrally.