To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government is taking to enhance the skills and training of community matrons in Hertfordshire; and if she will make a statement. (120015)

It is for the local national health service to ensure that their staff have adequate skills and training to carry out their jobs.

Across the country, including Hertfordshire, we have published a case management competency framework for the care of people with long-term conditions in 2005 to help employers understand the depth and breadth of the community matron role and higher education institutes to design appropriate training courses. In addition, Sheffield Hallam university was funded to develop a model education programme for community matrons. Results from this programme were included in “Caring for people with long term conditions: an education framework for community matrons and case managers,” published in 2006.