§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will amend the draft Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 to include health visiting in the title of the new Nursing and Midwifery Council; and if he will make a statement; [12051]
(2) what recent representations he has received about the draft Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 and the regulation of health visitors; and if he will place them in the Library; [12019]
(3) what plans he has to regulate the profession of health visiting. [12054]
§ Mr. HuttonWe have undertaken extensive consultation on the proposals to establish a new Nursing and Midwifery Council. The draft legislation recognises health visitors' special contribution to public health and contains a number of safeguards for health visiting. There will be a separate part of the register for health visitors, protection of their professional title and they will be guaranteed equal representation on the council with nurses and midwives. Legislation is in the final stages of preparation and will be published shortly, together with a report on consultation. There are no plans to amend the proposed title of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.