§ 24. Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effect of the availability of resources on (i) nurses' and midwives' pay and (ii) the rationing of drugs or procedures in the health service. [57374]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Comprehensive Spending Review produced a settlement which can accommodate fair pay rises for nurses and midwives and will ensure that cost effective drugs and procedures are available in the National Health Service. The Government are determined to ensure that patients receive the full benefit of this new investment so pay review bodies will need to strike a careful balance between fairness and affordability.