§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on(a) recruitment and (b) retention among health workers not covered by the Pay Review Body. [120334]
§ Mr. DenhamWe recognise that National Health Service staff are the key to delivering its ambitious programme to modernise the service, and we are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of all NHS staff.
We are modernising services and modernising employment practice in the NHS: developing more supportive, flexible and family friendly working practices; extending and improving investment in lifelong learning and professional development; tackling violence and racism in the workplace; involving staff in the way services are delivered and in the changes and developments that affect their working lives. Pay is also being addressed.
In addition, we are developing the interactive service "NHS Careers" which will cover all NHS staff in due course.