Oral Answers to Questions

Margot James Excerpts
Tuesday 21st October 2014

(10 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Dan Poulter Portrait Dr Poulter
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

It is right that hospitals respond when there are not enough staff working there, if that is affecting patient care. That is why under this Government 2,500 more nursing staff are working now than in 2010. That is progress to ensure that we are facing up to challenges in care where they exist at local hospitals.

Margot James Portrait Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con)
- Hansard - -

Russells Hall hospital in the borough of Dudley has appointed 56 new nurses from overseas since the Keogh review last year. Will my hon. Friend join me in welcoming the graduate trainee programme for nursing that Russells Hall has put in place, which will provide for 100 trained nurses over future years?

Dan Poulter Portrait Dr Poulter
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

That sounds like a commendable programme. It is good to hear that my hon. Friend’s local trust, where there was a shortage of nurses, is facing up to that and employing more nurses to ensure that patient care is as good as it can be.