Schedule 2 - Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts
Health and Social Care(Community Health and Standards) Bill
11:15 am
Mr John Hutton (Minister of State, Department of Health; Barrow and Furness, Labour)
We are going around in circles, and I would rather not do that. However, the hon. Gentleman raised the valid point that we should give freedom and flexibility to deal with local recruitment and retention problems to all NHS employing organisations, whether or not they are foundations trusts. That is what ''Agenda for Change'' does, and that is the benefit of the national pay agreement for NHS foundation trusts. That is why all potential applicants for NHS foundation trust status have agreed to proceed as early implementers of the ''Agenda for Change'' package. There is much in it for NHS employers, whether or not they are foundation trusts.
The point raised by the hon. Lady is fair and reasonable, and we are alert to the problem that she mentioned. It is in no one's interest, across the NHS, for that type of unfair competition for staff to go unchecked.
It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Adjourned till this day at half-past Two o'clock.