Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers Mr Poots: The removal of the one-off book and uniform allowance for Nursing and Midwifery students, is proposed in the Consultation on the Review of HSC Student Bursary Schemes. The proposals presented in the review are aimed at beginning to harmonise the support arrangements provided across the health and social care professions. The book and uniform allowance is not provided to any other health and social care students. The decision on the possible removal of this allowance will be taken following completion of the consultation on 2nd August. Nursing and Midwifery students continue to receive support throughout their training by provision of a non means tested, non repayable bursary, and the potential availability of a range of other allowances such as Disabled Students’ Allowance and Dependants’ Allowance, based on their individual circumstances. Nursing and Midwifery Students Mr P Ramsey asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action his Department intends to take to financially support nursing and midwifery students in terms of bursaries and allowances, given the current economic pressures on students. (AQW 13629/11-15) Mr Poots: My Department provides all nursing and midwifery students with a non means-tested, non repayable bursary, and funds the entire cost of tuition fees to the university. In addition, nursing and midwifery students can apply for additional allowances such as Parental Learning Allowance, Disability Allowance, and contribution to childcare costs, subject to individual circumstances and attendant eligibility. My Department is currently consulting on proposals for a modest reduction in the nursing bursary, and removal of the book and uniform allowance, provided only to nursing and midwifery students. This is a first step in harmonisation of DHSSPS-funded student support provided across the healthcare professions. If this reduction is introduced, all nursing and midwifery students will remain entitled to a non means tested bursary of £5165 per annum and there will be no change to the additional allowances available subject to eligibility. Staffing Arrangements at the Patient Client Council, Omagh Mr Durkan asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the staffing arrangements at the Patient Client Council, Omagh, following the recent retirement of staff. (AQW 13649/11-15) Mr Poots: The staffing complement in the Patient and client Council’s (PCC) Omagh office is currently four. Prior to the retirement of two members of staff, one Administrative Officer and one Patient and Client Support Officer, the PCC put in place temporary arrangements to ensure continuity of service for people in the Western Area. This included the recruitment of a temporary member of staff to assist with personal and public involvement work in the Western area, and for all calls to the Omagh office being answered centrally by PCC. The Patient and Client Council is undergoing a review of its organisational structure and it is planned changes to its structures will be implemented in 2013. Consultant’s Post at an Acute Hospital Mr Campbell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what is the minimum required notification to be given to a medical consultant, from outside the United Kingdom, to attend an interview for a consultant’s post at an acute hospital. (AQW 13660/11-15) Mr Poots: Consultants are appointed to health and social care organisations in accordance with the Health and Personal Social Services Appointment of Consultants Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996. The accompanying guidance to the regulations provides useful advice to employers when making WA 562
Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers appointments to consultant posts. Neither the regulations nor the guidance specifies a minimum period of notification for interview for either a UK or international applicant. Recruitment & selection policy and procedures have been developed within each Trust and the advice from all Trusts is there is no difference in the period of notification for interview for either a UK or international applicant. Trusts normally liaise with individual applicants in relation to their availability and plan accordingly. Funding for Residential Care Mr Campbell asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether consideration is being given to a review of funding for residential care. (AQW 13661/11-15) Mr Poots: It is widely accepted that issues such as an ageing population, increased public expectations and a difficult financial climate are putting adult social care services, including residential care, in Northern Ireland under increasing pressure. If we are to meet the challenges that these issues present, change is needed, and that is why I have committed to a three stage process of reform to identify the future direction of adult social care. The first stage of this, which I aim to publish in August 2012, will be the development of a discussion document setting out the challenges that the system is facing and aiming to promote a public debate around the future of adult social care. This will include discussion around how services such as residential care should be funded in the future, with a view to establishing a fair and sustainable system of funding. Fire and Rescue Service’s Recruitment Exercise Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety who chaired the Appeal Panel for the practical aptitude test in the Fire and Rescue Service’s wholetime recruitment exercise. (AQW 13684/11-15) Mr Poots: Assistant Chief Fire Officer Eoin Doyle chaired the appeal panel for the practical aptitude test. Fire and Rescue Service’s Recruitment Exercise Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail of candidates who (a) appealed their results; and (b) were permitted to resit the practical aptitude test in the Fire and Rescue Service’s wholetime recruitment exercise. (AQW 13685/11-15) Mr Poots: A total of 67 candidates appealed in writing to the Recruitment & Services Manager in relation to the Practical Tests. Of the 67 candidates who appealed, 44 were given a re-test, after the Panel had considered each appeal on individual merit. Of the 44 candidates given a re-test, 37 were successful when re-tested and these candidates then proceeded to interview stage. Fire and Rescue Service’s Recruitment Exercise Mr Irwin asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the (i) number; and (ii) names of candidates who were successfully recruited to the Fire and Rescue Service after appealing their practical aptitude test results in the wholetime recruitment exercise. (AQW 13686/11-15) Mr Poots: (i) Of those candidates who appealed their Practical Aptitude Test results, five were successfully recruited. WA 563
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Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

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