ENVIRONMENT minister Elliot Morley this week visited Wirral to meet business people who have benefited from a business support scheme.

Wirral Hospital NHS Trust is taking part in an innovative project aimed at supporting local small firms.

The Trust has helped establish the Northwest NHS Suppliers Bureau by working together with Groundwork Environmental Business Service.

The bureau aims to provide small businesses contract opportunities with the NHS by offering support and help with the tender process.

One strand of the project is the development of the NHS Passport scheme. Though in its early stages, the initiative aims to improve the competence of contract workers by providing them with a better understanding of health and safety hazards specific to a hospital environment.

Neil Stanier, director of facilities management at Wirral Hospital, said: "As one of the largest employers in the area we want to do what we can to support the sustainability of local businesses.

"The NHS Passport scheme provides us with the freedom to contract smaller businesses, safe in the knowledge that workers have undergone the relevant training."

Click Here to listen to Elliot Morley MP, Minister of State for the Environment