NHS Staff (Occupational Health and Counselling Services)

HC Deb 05 June 2000 vol 351 c32W

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts provided, as at April, those occupational health and counselling services to their staff which were set out under the White Paper "Working Together—Securing a Quality Workforce for the NHS". [124364]

Mr. Denham

All National Health Service trusts now provide staff with access to occupational health services. 60 per cent. of trusts provide services in-house while 40 per cent. purchase them from neighbouring NHS employers. Information about the number of trusts providing counselling services is not collected centrally but may be held locally.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish guidelines on the provision of counselling services for staff in the NHS. [124363]

Mr. Denham

Guidance on the provision of counselling services for staff in the National Health Service should be available on the Department of Health website later this year.