§ Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government have taken to improve nurses' pay and conditions of service since 1997. [65821]
§ Mr. HuttonWe have accepted in full and implemented the recommendations of the independent pay review body for nursing staff for the last four years without staging pay awards. From April 2002 all nursing staff will have received an above inflation increase of at least 3.6 per cent.
Pay has increased across the board for all nurses employed in the national health service by at least 26 per cent. in cash terms since 1997.
The introduction of nurse consultant posts has extended career opportunities for senior nurses who wish to remain in clinical roles and provided the opportunity to earn salaries of over £46,000.
We are working with unions, professional organisations and employers to introduce a new pay system that will offer nurses and other staff working in the NHS a more attractive career structure, fairer pay and consistent conditions of service.
The development of a child care strategy is a key element in improving working lives for staff in the NHS and plays a key role in the recruitment and retention of staff. Our child care strategy centres on providing good quality, accessible and affordable child care. The main focus of the strategy currently is the development of around 150 on-site nurseries with subsidised places. Funding available from April 2001 amounts to over £70 million. Around a further 7,500 places will be created by 2004.