§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts about setting goals for the representation of(a) women, (b) people from ethnic minorities and (c) people with disabilities in the workforce; and if he will make a statement; [59361]
(2) what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts on monitoring and evaluating information collected about the (a) gender, (b) ethnic origin and (c) disability of job applicants. [59360]
561W
§ Mr. Milburn[holding answer 12 November 1998]We have recently issued the first ever human resource strategic framework for the National Health Service. One of the strategic aims ofWorking Together: Securing a Quality Workforce for the NHS is that the NHS should have a quality workforce, in the right numbers, with the right skills and diversity, organised in the right way to deliver the Government's service objectives for health and social care. The framework commits trusts to demonstrate year on year progress towards achieving a workforce that is fully representative of the community it serves, at all levels of the organisation. Further guidance on equal opportunities monitoring will be issued in 1999 as part of the work on implementing the human resources framework and integrating it with performance management systems within the NHS.