§ 36. Mr. Hollandasked the Minister of Health if he will give the latest available figures for the recruitment of hospital nursing and midwifery staff.
§ Miss PittI am glad to state that there were significant increases in the total numbers of all categories of hospital nursing and midwifery staff in England and Wales in the twelve months ended 30th September, 1959. The whole-time staff increased by 8,010, or five per cent., and the part-time staff by 611, of 1½ per cent.
In particular in mental and mental deficiency hospitals the whole-time male nursing staff increased by 1,071, or 7 per cent., and the whole-time female nursing staff by 2,222, or over 15 per cent.
With permission, I will circulate the main figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HollandCan my hon. Friend give me an assurance that that encouraging trend is reflected in the midwifery 808 service, about which there has been some concern of late?
§ Miss PittYes, I am happy to say that there has been some progress in the recruitment of midwives. The number of full-time midwives increased by 200, or 3.7 per cent.; the number of part-time midwives increased by 51, or 3.6 per cent.; perhaps even more encouraging, the number of pupil midwives increased by 529, or 13.6 per cent.
Following are the main figures:The numbers of whole-time and part-time nursing and midwifery staff of the various categories in all National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales at 30th September, 1958, and 30th September, 1959, and the increases between these dates were as follows:—
Category Numbers at 30th September, 1958 Numbers at 30th September, 1959 Increase Trained Nurses: Whole-time 51,188 53,311 2,123 Part-time 13,172 13,271 99 Student Nurses 53,899 54,959 1,060 Enrolled Assistant Nurses: Whole-time 9,580 9,960 380 Part-time 6,175 6,175 — Pupil Assistant Nurses: Whole-time 5,103 5,799 696 Part-time 49 90 41 Other Nursing Staff: Whole-time 23,561 26,583 3,022 Part-time 20,378 20,798 420 Midwives: Whole-time 5,289 5,489 200 Part-time 1,402 1,453 51 Pupil Midwives: 3,889 4,418 529 Total: Whole-time 152,509 160,519 8,010 Part-time 41,176 41,787 611