HL Deb 03 April 1990 vol 517 cc1393-4WA
Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government: How many nurses are employed by the prison medical service and how many nursing posts are currently vacant.

Earl Ferrers

On 30th March 1990, 122 nurses were in post and measures were under way to recruit about 3 5 more. Where necessary and practicable temporary gaps are filled by recourse to agency nurses.

Population† of Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30th September 1989: by establishment and ethnic origin
Number
Ethnic origin
Establishment White West Indian, Guyanese, African Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi Chinese, Arab Mixed origin Other, not recorded (including refusals) Total number of persons in establishments
Acklington 426 4 3 6 9 448
Albany 294 63 16 9 5 387
Aldington 117 2 5 — 3 127
Ashford 186 51 5 10 2 254
Ashwell 315 39 20 6 1 381
Askham Grange 99 11 1 3 2 116
Aylesbury 176 57 16 6 4 259
Bedford 261 35 9 5 8 318
Birmingham 703 136 59 21 23 942
Blantyre House 61 8 7 3 4 83
Blundeston 289 87 13 6 10 405
Bristol 444 52 13 6 31 546
Brixton 690 321 32 17 49 1, 109
Brockhill 176 20 18 16 6 236
Buckley Hill 76 2 1 1 2 82
Bullwood Hall* 79 48 — 4 5 136
Camp Hill* 336 104 5 6 5 456
Campsfield House 54 4 3 — 1 62
Canterbury 345 6 1 6 8 366
Cardiff* 400 15 5 6 17 443
Castington 205 11 6 4 5 231
Channings Wood 429 68 22 8 12 539

Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many prison officers possess a nursing qualification.

Earl Ferrers

Of 1, 069 hospital officers in post on 30th March, 171 were in possession of a first or second level professional nursing qualification.

Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government: How many (a) male and (b) female prison hospital officers are there and now many hospital officer posts are currently vacant.

Earl Ferrers

On 30th March 1990, 984 male and 85 female hospital officers were in post. Because staffing needs are continuously under review, it is not possible to express them in terms of a specific number of vacant posts. But additional hospital officers are needed and recruitment is being given high priority. Where necessary and practicable, temporary gaps are covered by recourse to agency nurses.