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Department of Health

I believe that it is an appropriate way of proceeding with pay reform. We negotiated the arrangements on the clear understanding that the investment was in return for reform. The new contracts for NHS staff are designed to support service improvement, to deliver real benefits for patients and the service and to improve the working lives of NHS staff. The issue was raised by the hon. Members for Mid-Sussex, for Beverley and Holderness (Mr. Stuart) and for Southend, West (Mr. Amess). I will look into the matters raised by the hon. Member for Southend, West about his local hospital and its application for foundation trust status and write to him if he will allow me to do so.