§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to encourage private recruitment agencies to sign up to the Government's guidelines on banning the recruitment of nurses from developing countries. [84892]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department has written to those commercial agencies it is aware of, asking them to provide references from national health service and other customers confirming compliance with the code of practice. The code of practice states that developing countries should not be targeted for recruitment.
The list of agencies who are working in line with the principles of the code of practice appears on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/international-recruitment and NHS organisations are strongly advised to refer to the list when establishing new contracts.
The Department will write again to those agencies who have not replied and to any other agencies brought to its attention.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the South African health department regarding the recruitment of nurses to the UK. [84893]
§ Mr. HuttonDepartmental officials visited South Africa last year to share the United Kingdom's strategy and position on international recruitment and cooperation. The South African Ministry of health has asked for the Department's assistance with workforce evelopment and the establishment of a chief nursing officer post. Officials are due to visit South Africa in February 2003, to meet with senior officials of the Department of Health South Africa.