To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of health care assistants in the NHS; whether he proposes to make changes to the role; and if he will make a statement. [126813]

A wide range of jobs have the title of health care assistant. Traditionally, health care assistants have usually worked on hospital wards in support of nursing staff, or have supported community nurses. However, the role is increasingly being developed to provide support to all health and social care professions. Each post is designed locally to meet service needs, and is tailored to ensure the delivery of efficient, high quality care."Agenda for Change", the new national health service pay system, will allow health care assistant staff to be fairly rewarded for what they actually do on the basis of equal pay for work of equal value, rather than being paid on the basis of current job title.