§ Matthew GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to encourage the retention of nursing staff. [12378]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are fully committed to investing in national health service staff. The NHS Plan introduced the improving working lives standard, a model of good employment practices against which NHS organisations are measured. NHS organisations are required to provide a portfolio of evidence that they are improving the working lives of staff.
§ Mrs. BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact the cost of living supplement has had on the recruitment of nurses in(a) qualifying and (b) non-qualifying health authorities. [13941]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 14 November 2001]: Cost of living supplements were introduced in April 2001 as part of a wide-ranging strategy to address recruitment and retention in the national health service. It is too early to judge the impact of these new payments. The Department is committed to monitoring the impact of COLS.