§ 29. Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the recruitment and retention of nurses. [106266]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are committed to help the National Health Service recruit the extra nurses it needs to deliver modern and dependable care.
Last month (January), we announced an above inflation pay award of 3.4 per cent. for all nurses, with additional increases for experienced staff nurses of 7.8 per cent.
As a result of last year's national recruitment campaign, over 5,000 nurses are returning to the NHS, and applications for nursing degree courses are up by 24 per cent.
I am pleased to tell my hon. Friend that we will be launching this year's national recruitment campaign on 28 February. The campaign will include high profile TV and press advertising, and will target those areas of the country with the most pressing vacancies.
The Government are also making progress on modernising services and modernising employment practice in the NHS to retain nurses. Through our national nursing strategy, "Making a Difference", the NHS is developing flexible and family friendly working practices; extending and improving investment in lifelong learning and professional development, and tackling violence and racism in the workplace.
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