§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take action to improve the remuneration of medical secretaries throughout the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [185010]
§ Mr. HuttonMedical secretaries, along with other health workers, will receive a minimum 10 per cent. increase in basic pay over the three years 2003–04 to 2005–06. In addition subject to a positive outcome of the planned second ballots by some national health service trades unions on the new pay system, many medical secretaries should also benefit under the assimilation arrangements provided by the new system.
The impact of "Agenda for Change" for all staff groups is currently being tested across 12 early implementer sites to ensure that the new system, which is underpinned by a job evaluation framework, provides a fair and comparable basis of employment for all staff, including medical secretaries.