Written question asked by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 February 1999. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Monday, 1 February 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the charging of nurses for their uniforms by colleges.

Answer: Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the charging of nurses for their uniforms by colleges. [68465] Mr. Denham: Uniforms are provided free of charge to nursing students. They are provided either by the local National Health Service trust or the higher education institution; in the latter case the costs are met through NHS contracts. A case came to our attention last week where a university was seeking to charge for nurses' uniforms, in a way not sanctioned by their contract. As soon as we heard about the proposal we asked officials to investigate and the university concerned has now withdrawn its proposal. NHS education commissioners have been reminded of the policy in this area.

Secondary information