Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 28 June 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 July 2000. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Monday, 3 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for nurses to be employed by health authorities specifically to advise and help MS patients. - Includes figures.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for nurses to be employed by health authorities specifically to advise and help MS patients. [128773] Mr. Denham: It is for individual National Health Service trusts and health authorities to determine the number, grade and mix of staff they will require to deliver services. A partnership arrangement between The Multiple Sclerosis Society and the NHS has been set up to contribute to the development of MS specialist nurses. The funding arrangements include a formal evaluation of the nurses' roles that are being developed through this interesting partnership arrangement. There are currently around 70 of these specialist nurses. The further development of specialist nursing posts, however, is a matter for NHS commissioners and providers to determine as an integral part of neurological services.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 353 c30-1W; 128773
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Health services Health authorities Multiple sclerosis Nurses Multiple Sclerosis Society
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk