Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Macleod Excerpts

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con)]

1. What his policy is on the use of volunteers in hospitals.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Paul Burstow)]

The coalition Government recognise the tremendous contribution that volunteers play in enhancing quality and experience in health and social care, including within hospitals. We are working with partners, including the National Association of Voluntary Service Managers, to strengthen this role during service reform.

[Mary Macleod]

Mr Speaker, may I wish you and the House a very happy and healthy new year?

I thank the Minister for his response. I recently attended the local volunteering awards in the West Middlesex hospital in my constituency. Almost 400 volunteers do great work for patients and the hospital. What financial assistance is available to hospitals to support these volunteering projects?

[Paul Burstow]

I very much agree with the hon. Lady about the need for NHS trusts to consider their stance on volunteering. Indeed, I suspect Members of all parties have visited hospitals and worked with friends organisations over the Christmas period and have seen the good work that volunteers do in our hospitals. Our aim is to make sure that NHS trusts and commissioners of health and social care have the tools and information they need to make good judgments about investing in volunteering. That was the purpose of the volunteering strategy that we published last year.