Nurses (Hansard, 6 December 1999)

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have awarded the 12 per cent. pay rise to newly qualified nurses. [101355]

§ Mr. Denham
The information requested is not centrally available.
All National Health Service bodies employing nurses on national contracts should have implemented the pay scales set out in Advance Letter (NM) 1/99 issued to the service on the 8 April 1999.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial incentives he has evaluated for E-grade nurses, ward sisters and charge nurses. [101356]

§ Mr. Denham
This year nurses got their biggest real terms pay rise for 10 years, and for the first time in five years the award is being paid in full without staging. Most E grade nurses, ward sisters and charge nurses received a 4.7 per cent. increase in basic pay.
Our proposals for modernising the National Health Service pay system were outlined in "Agenda for Change" published on 15 February 1999. Our aim is for a new pay system which properly rewards responsibility, competence and performance. For nurses these changes will mean a new career structure to replace the current clinical grades, which will provide better career progression and fairer rewards for developing new skills, taking on extended roles and team working. This is under active discussion with the trades unions.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he will take to stop experienced nurses from leaving the NHS. [101357]

§ Mr. Denham
The human resources framework "Working Together" sets out the Government's determination to improve the quality of working lives for all staff in the National Health Service and requires NHS employers to improve retention rates for all health professional staff. "Making A Difference" sets out a new 445W vision for the future of nursing in the new NHS to ensure that nurses are able to develop satisfying and rewarding careers, including the introduction of nurse consultant posts. Significant progress has already been made to improve pay, tackle racism and inequality and create safe and healthy work places.
In September this year, Ministers launched a £1 million campaign called "Improving Working Lives in the NHS" as part of our wider agenda on supporting the family. Each region has appointed a high profile champion to lead a multi disciplinary task force to introduce more flexible and family friendly policies in the NHS. The "Improving Working Lives Champion" for Chorley is Kath Holbourn, Director of Nursing, Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe and can be contacted on 01270 612 351.