§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what comparative studies his Department has made of the cost effectiveness of recruiting midwives from overseas compared with employing midwives currently on the register in the United Kingdom but not practising. [21035]
§ Mr. MilburnWe are not aware that the Department has carried out studies of this kind.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts and health authorities have implemented the NHS Executive recommendation for a minimum F Grade for midwives; and if he will list them. [21034]
§ Mr. MilburnInformation on midwives' grading is not available centrally, but examples of developments following EL(95)77 are quoted in the Written Evidence from the Health Departments for Great Britain to the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, Review for 1998. Copies have been placed in the Library.
§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the setting up of health action zones includes provision for developing woman-centred midwifery care as set out in the guidelines of "Changing Childbirth". [21245]
§ Mr. MilburnOne of the key objectives for health action zones is developing improved, responsive services that are sensitive to local needs. The Government expect health action zones to do this within the framework of national policy, and where proposals include maternity services they should be developed within the principles of responsive woman-centred care.
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§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the measures announced by the Government to tackle violence, discrimination and stress in the NHS will address the particular problems and risks encountered by midwives in the community. [21247]
§ Mr. MilburnThe measures we are taking to tackle violence, discrimination and stress in the National Health Service apply equally to all staff including those who work in the community. We have also recently authorised work by the Royal College of Nursing and the NHS Executive with a view to issuing, by the middle of next year, good practice guidance specifically on violence to staff working in the community.
§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the arrangements for the funding and allocation of study leave for the continuing professional development of midwives. [21246]
§ Mr. MilburnThe arrangements for the funding and allocation of study leave for the continuing professional development of midwives are matters for local National Health Service employers in collaboration with education consortia.