§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to limit the fees which NHS trusts may pay to nurses working for nursing agencies. [90528]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are unaware of any occasions where National Health Service trusts have paid nurses fees while they are working for nursing agencies. Agency staff are normally paid directly by their agency, who in turn are paid by NHS trusts.
The NHS Executive is working with the Social Partnership Forum to review the use of bank and agency staff and alternative approaches to employment flexibility, with a view to recommending good practice guidance to NHS employers.