§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to encourage recruitment of physiotherapy staff to the NHS. [87800]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government are ensuring that effective recruitment and retention policies are in place to make the best use of trained staff and that training levels are sufficient to get a better match between supply and demand.
The Government are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of physiotherapists. These include the publication of the framework for the management of human resources for the whole of the National Health Service, "Working Together: securing a quality workforce for the NHS", which sets targets for local employers to improve recruitment and retention year on year. We have issued guidance to the service on improving working lives and we will shortly be issuing guidance on Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development. In addition, physiotherapy staff are to get their biggest real terms pay increase in the last 10 years, and, for the first time in 5 years, the award is being paid nationally, in full and with no staging.