HC Deb 27 April 2004 vol 420 cc959-60W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of NHS trusts are using NHS Professionals; and if he will make a statement; [167405]

(2) what progress has been made towards the target of all NHS trusts using NHS Professionals by April 2005; and if he will make a statement. [167427]

Mr. Hutton

At the current time, NHS Professionals provide services to 91, or 34 per cent. of national health service trusts and 37, or 12 per cent. of primary care trusts (PCTs). NHS bodies have been encouraged by the Department to engage with the special health authority to understand the benefits it can offer for the cost effective management of temporary staffing. It is hoped and anticipated therefore, that the number of NHS trusts and PCTs using NHS Professionals will steadily expand.