§ 14. Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are employed in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [23477]
§ Mr. MaloneThere were 347,000 qualified and unqualified nurses and midwives in the NHS on 30 September 1994–27,000 more than there were 10 years ago.
§ Mr. JonesWhy are two thirds of our hospital trusts finding it very difficult to recruit qualified nurses?
§ Mr. MaloneThe hon. Gentleman's point is being addressed. The ability to shape the nursing work force by developing local training programmes allows a more precise mechanism for addressing local problems. Figures on the number of nurses by areas of work show that the number of hospital nursing and midwifery staff increased from 269,000 to 285,000 between 1984 and 1994. The same applies to other areas of work.
§ Mr. JesselMy hon. Friend recently saw the excellent work of national health service nurses at Teddington Memorial hospital, which has tremendous local community support and which is the smallest NHS trust hospital in the country. Will he confirm that it will serve as the role model for all cottage and community hospitals that wish to have trust status?
§ Mr. MaloneInvitations to visit my hon. Friend's constituency are always impossible to resist and when 506 undertaken they are memorable. I well remember my visit. That hospital is a great example, not just for my hon. Friend's constituency but for the country, of nursing roles and skills being better deployed and providing services for a local community.