asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have acknowledged the contribution that specialist nurses make to the treatment and care of people with epilepsy; and whether they will take steps to reverse the trend of redundancies and reduced hours for specialist epilepsy nurses who work in the National Health Service; and [HL748]

What encouragement they are giving to local health trusts to reverse the trend of redundancies and reduced hours for specialist epilepsy nurses who work in the National Health Service, bearing in mind that 70 per cent of those with epilepsy could be seizure-free with optimal treatment. [HL749]

It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities (SHAs) to analyse their local workforce needs and develop plans, in liaison with the providers, to deliver high quality services, including those for epilepsy, and take action to secure the appropriate staff and skills to deliver these services.

The chief executive of the NHS, David Nicholson, wrote to all chief executives of SHAs, NHS trusts and PCTs on 30 October 2006, encouraging NHS organisations to work together to manage workforce change and minimise the need for redundancies. Mr Nicholson's letter launched a new framework from NHS Employers, Securing and Retaining Staff for Health and Social Care—A partnership approach, which outlines good practice and promotes local partnership working for the benefit of displaced staff. A copy of the framework is available in the Library.