To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the continued exodus of nurses from the independent sector to Health and Social Care Trusts; and to detail how he will encourage greater staff retention within the independent sector.

My Department is aware of recruitment and retention difficulties experienced by the independent sector. Nurses may choose to move from the independent sector to Health and Social Care Trusts for a variety of reasons including opportunities for career progression and enhanced terms and conditions of employment.

My Department has completed a Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Review, currently being considered by officials, which included the Independent, Voluntary and Private sectors. One of the recommendations is that all employers should review their recruitment processes and work to make their organisation an employer of choice to encourage both the recruitment and retention of nurses.

My Department recently launched a Career Pathway for Nurses and Midwives showcasing opportunities for development in a range of settings including the Independent Sector. The Career Pathway has profiled the Independent Sector as a means of encouraging staff to apply for positions there.

Each employer is responsible for their own staff and for encouraging them to stay in their employment.