§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the pay and conditions of community midwives. [121068]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 5 May 2000]: The Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine (NPRB) make recommendations on pay for community midwives employed on national terms and conditions. For the second year running, the Government have accepted in full the pay increases recommended by The Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine—an across the board increase of 3.4 per cent. for 2000–01, and for the second year running these increases will be paid in full without staging.
The Government's proposals for modernising the NHS pay system "Agenda for Change" were published last year. For nurses, midwives and health visitors this will mean a new career structure to replace outdated clinical grades, better career progression, fairer rewards for team working, developing new skills and taking on extended roles. The proposals are currently under negotiation with the unions and professional organisations.