§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the average number of years worked in the National Health Service by nurses after qualification.
§ Mr. MellorRecent trends in the numbers of nursing and midwifery staff in post and newly qualified nurses suggest that following qualification each nurse provides 11–12 years full-time service in the NHS.
61W
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current level of vacancies for nurses in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. MellorWe do not collect information about vacancies centrally. However, a sample survey for the Pay Review Body showed that at 31 March 1987 about 3.5 per cent. of all nursing and midwifery staff posts had been vacant for three months or more.