§ Rev. William McCreaasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many private hospitals and clinics are registered in Northern Ireland at the latest available date;
(2) whether he has any information as to the number of staff employed in private hospitals and clinics in Northern Ireland at the latest available date.
§ Mr. Chris Patten[pursuant to his reply, 23 January 1984, c. 520]: At 31 December 1983 there were 12 premises registered under the Nursing Homes and Nursing Agencies Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, three of which are registered as carrying out surgical procedures. From the reports on inspections made by health and social services boards during 1983 it is estimated that the total number of staff employed in these premises is 259 of who 113 are employed in those registered as carrying out surgical procedures.