Officials in my Department had a series of engagements with trade unions discussing terms of reference for the McHugh report, a meeting dedicated to nursing students' industrial relations matters in September as well as a follow up meeting that also referred to this topic, and several exchanges of correspondence with unions discussing these matters in recent months. Additionally I understand that Mr McHugh engaged separately with student nursing stakeholders and with my officials on a number of occasions in the process of drafting his report.
I and my officials remain fully committed to facilitating and supporting student nurses and midwives in their education, and will continue to engage with stakeholders and representatives on these matters, including on the report when it is published.