HL Deb 06 April 1982 vol 429 c214WA
Lord Wigoder

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their best estimate of the total number of State Registered and State Enrolled Nurses employed on either a full or part-time basis:

  1. (1) in the National Health Service;
  2. (2) in the independent hospital sector; and
  3. (3) in private industry;
and what is the total number of State Registered and State Enrolled Nurses now registered as unemployed.

Lord Elton

The latest detailed information as to the number employed in the NHS is set out in the table below:

REGISTERED AND ENROLLED NURSES1—ENGLAND, 30th SEPTEMBER 1980
Whole-time Part-time Part-time Total Total
NO/WTE NO WTE NO WTE
Registered Nurses2 96,200 49,300 26,500 145,500 122,800
Enrolled Nurses3 41,500 29,000 18,900 70,500 60,300
Agency Staff4:
Registered Nurses2 700 3,200 1,200 4,000 2,000
Enrolled Nurses3 600 3,500 1,200 4,000 1,800
All Registered Nurses2 97,000 52,500 27,800 149,500 124,800
All Enrolled Nurses3 42,100 32,500 20,000 74,500 62,100
Notes:
1The slight discrepancy between the total figures shown and those in individual categories is due to roundings.
2Registered nurses in hospital grades, blood transfusion services, primary health care services and senior grades at administrative headquarters.
3Enrolled nurses in hospital grades, blood transfusion services, primary health care services and at administrative headquarters.
4Qualified nurses employed casually in hospitals and in the primary health care services.

Information on which a reasonable estimate of the number of Registered and Enrolled nurses employed in the independent hospital sector and in private industry is not available to the Department.

The latest figures supplied by the Department of Employment show that in December 1981 there were 5,673 qualified nursing and midwifery staff registered as unemployed in England. It is estimated that of these 60 per cent. are Registered nurses and 40 per cent. Enrolled nurses.