§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the incentives available to encourage graduates to enter the National Health Service. [64335]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Government is implementing a range of measures to improve recruitment and retention of all staff, including graduates. These include improving terms and conditions, encouraging the National Health Service to become a better employer through theImproving Working Lives and Positively Diverse programmes and developing better career pathways further information on improving working lives is available at www.doh.gov.uk/iwl. This approach is working. Applications to nursing and medical training are increasing. A scheme for graduate entrants to medical school is developing well.
The NHS general management scheme has for the past two years been rated the second most popular scheme for graduates seeking a career in general management. The NHS finance scheme has this year been rated 8 in the finance sector. Whilst the starting salary offered to graduate trainees is slightly below the median for all graduate recruiters, the starting salary in 2002 will be 1394W £17,800 compared with a median of £19.000 across all sectors, the overall package offered to graduate trainees is worth around £30,000. This includes:
annual performance award of up to 6 per cent. of salary;fully funded course of professional study, leading to a recognised qualification in finance or management;personal development programme;on-going development programme on completion of the scheme; NHS pension scheme;provision of laptop computer.