HC Deb 19 December 2002 vol 396 cc1053-5W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department(a) has spent and (b) plans to spend next year in advertising the NHS overseas nurses advice line; and what form this advertising will take. [87469]

Mr. Hutton

The national health service overseas nurses advice line has been advertised through various means, including a press launch in September which channelled information about the line to the NHS and the independent sector. Articles on the NHS overseas nurses advice line have also appeared in the nursing press and the Chief Nursing Officer has highlighted the advice line in bulletins and through quarterly briefing meetings with nursing directors and primary care trust lead nurses.

A total of £2,273.62 has been spent this year on the production of cards publishing the advice line and these cards have been distributed by national organisations, including the Royal College of Nursing and Unison. In addition, the Philippine overseas employment administration also distributes the cards free of charge to their nurses and in the new year the Nursing and Midwifery Council will be issue cards to overseas representatives.

A decision on the advertising budget has yet to be decided and this will be in light of the likely future demand.