HC Deb 23 January 1968 vol 757 c82W
Mr. James Davidson

asked the Minister of Health what were the total numbers of hospitals, hospital beds, and appropriate hospital staff in England and Wales at the beginning of 1946, 1951, 1964 and at the latest available date.

Mr. K. Robinson

No figures for 1946 are available. Figures are not collected for the beginning of each year but the following table gives the best indication of the position in the later years.

1951 1964 1967
Hospitals Figure not available 2,550 2,528
Staffed beds 458,000 472,000 468,000
Staff:
Medical and dental 12,900 18,500 20,100
Nurses and midwives 148,300 207,700 231,500
Other professional and technical 13,700 25,400 29,200
Administrative and clerical 27,300 34,800 39,300
Works, maintenance and domestic:
Whole-time 103,300 157,200 160,400
Part-time 29,900 52,500 61,100

Notes:

1. All figures for 1951 and those for hospitals and staffed beds in 1964 relate to 31st December in the previous year; all others at 30th September and in the previous year.

2. Some staff figures for 1951 and those of staffed beds in 1951 are approximate.

3. Figures of all staff except works etc. staff are whole-time equivalents.