§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to(a) develop community children's services in Northern Ireland and (b) encourage the recruitment of more community children's nurses. [168273]
§ Angela SmithAll HSS Trusts now provide a community children's nursing service. There are now approximately 44 community children's nurses in post across Northern Ireland with a small number working in the voluntary sector. Boards and trusts have supported the development of the service by commissioning the training of nurses in this field over a number of years. Children's nurses working in the hospital setting have been attracted to community practice and to undertake further training required in community children's nursing. Workforce planning
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Department 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 Northern Ireland Office None None None None Department of Education None None None None Department of Culture Arts and Leisure Department did not exist prior to Devolution None Department of Finance and Personnel Information not available Information not available Information not available Information not available Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister Information not available Information not available Information not available Information not available Department of Social Development Department did not exist prior to Devolution Premiere People, Grafton Recruitment Department of Agriculture and Rural Development None None None None Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety Information not available Information not available Information not available Information not available Department of the Environment None None None None remains the responsibility of the HSS boards and trusts who identify their needs and request the training of additional staff through the established education commissioning process. It is anticipated that a further 10 nurses will commence training provided by the University of Ulster in September 2004.