§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the average hours worked by the NHS nursing staff at North Bristol NHS Trust in each of the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the trust's policy of encouraging nursing staff to work additional shifts. [158945]
§ Ms StuartInformation on the hours worked by nursing staff is not collected centrally.
The Department has always encouraged all National Health Service trusts to comply fully with the requirements of the Working Time Regulations including ensuring staff conform with the 48-hour weekly limit. However, there is provision in the regulations for staff to voluntarily sign an individual waiver form if they are content to work additional hours. Of course, the trust is still bound by the employer's duty of care to both the health and safety of both the employee and the patient.