§ 23. Mr. TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he proposes to improve morale within the nursing profession. [38234]
§ Mr. SackvilleWell managed trusts and other national health service employers in the United Kingdom are fully aware of the importance of nurse morale in the delivery of high-quality patient care. NHS trusts now have greater freedoms than ever before to develop local pay and working arrangements which reflect more properly the valuable contribution of highly motivated and skilled nurses.
Evidence of the present high nursing morale is reflected in the host of nursing-led initiatives currently in progress. These range from nurse-led clinics and nurse-led out-patient services, nursing beds for the chronically ill, pre-admission clinics, eight nurse prescribing schemes and the expanding range of nurse specialist posts including those of nurse practitioners.