NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Service Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Paulette Hamilton
Main Page: Paulette Hamilton (Labour - Birmingham Erdington)Department Debates - View all Paulette Hamilton's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Service
Paulette Hamilton Excerpts(1 day, 21 hours ago)
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Paulette Hamilton (Birmingham Erdington) (Lab)
Does the Minister agree with me that as we rebuild our NHS, volunteers at NHS trusts will not be used to plug gaps in service and staff will be allowed to focus on clinical matters?
Karin Smyth
I am happy to give my hon. Friend an absolute assurance. Volunteers support and complement the existing workforce; they do not replace it. Including volunteers signals a recognition of the important role they play in supporting staff, services and patients. Many hon. Members are volunteers and we have all seen how those volunteers can support the wider system. However, it is important that we keep our staff and respect their important roles.