Oral Answers to Questions

Julie Hilling Excerpts

Tuesday 24th February 2015 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab)]

1. How many NHS staff have been made redundant and subsequently re-employed by the NHS since May 2010.

[Graeme Morrice (Livingston) (Lab)]

9. How many NHS staff have been made redundant and subsequently re-employed by the NHS since May 2010.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Dr Daniel Poulter)]

Over the four and a half years between May 2010 and October 2014, 5,210 people—equivalent to, annually, less than 0.1% of the NHS work force—have been made redundant and then returned to work elsewhere in the NHS.

[Julie Hilling]

But at a time when A and E is in crisis and there are not enough nurses, how on earth can the Minister possibly justify firing and rehiring thousands of NHS staff? What greater sign could there be of a Government with their priorities totally wrong?

[Dr Poulter]

I am not sure I recognise that picture of the NHS. We know that there are between 6,000 and 8,000 extra nurses, midwives and health visitors working in our NHS than there were under the previous Government. Also, in respect of A and E, the average length of stay in hospital has steadily come down from about eight days in 2000 to about five days now. So our NHS is getting better and improving under the current Government.