§ Mr. Ian McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) for what reasons staffing reductions were made to the nursing and healthcare employment service in 1996; and which posts were affected; [13391]
(2) what professional advice was sought before the decision to make reductions at the nursing and healthcare employment service; [13393]
396W(3) by what method the reductions in the number of nursing consultants in the Employment Service were achieved; what was the cost to the Employment Service of these reductions in 1996–97; and where the total costs of these reductions came from; [13395]
(4) what were the staffing levels of the nursing and healthcare employment service on (a) 1 December 1995 and (b) 1 January 1997; [13390]
(5) what legal advice he has taken about how the Employment Service currently complies with the Nurses Agencies Act 1957; [13392]
(6) what are the estimated costs of purchasing contingency advice from an outside agency for the nursing and healthcare employment service. [13394]
§ Mr. ForthResponsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Ray Phillips to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 31 January 1997:
The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your questions regarding the Nursing and Healthcare Employment Service (NHES), the reasons for reductions in the Service in 1996, the numbers of posts which were affected, the legal and professional advice sought in respect of the impact of the reductions, the ES responsibilities under the Nurses Agencies Acts 1957 (1951 Scotland) and the current service levels and the costs of purchasing contingency advice from an outside agency in support of the NHES.On 1 December 1995 the staff levels of the NHES were:
- 1 Chief Nursing Consultant (Head Office based)
- 4 Nursing Consultants (regional—outstationed)
- 1 Personal Secretary
- 1 Administrative Assistant
On 1 January 1997 the levels were:
- 1 Chief Nursing Consultant
- 1 Nursing Consultant
- 1 Personal Secretary
- 1 Administrative Assistant
The NHES was reduced in size and scope in 1996 as part of a range of economy measures agreed by the Employment Service Board. In reaching the decision to reduce the Service the Board took full account of legal advice regarding ES compliance with the Nurses Agencies Acts 1957 (1951 Scotland) and of the views of its Chief Nursing Consultant. The ES currently demonstrates the duty of care under the Act by submitting only those appropriately qualified nurses required to fill healthcare employer vacancies.Reductions in the number of nursing consultant posts were achieved through voluntary severance and early retirement effecting a saving of £123,607. The budget identified for the purchase of contingency cover by way of a 'call off' contract to provide emergency cover for sickness absence is £12,000. This cover is available via an outside agency and was achieved through the competitive tendering process.I hope this reply is helpful.