§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of places available to state-enrolled nurses to convert to registered general nurses in 1989 and 1990; what is the total number of applications received for these courses; what is the average waiting time for successful applicants; and if there are any plans to increase the number of places available for state-enrolled nurses wishing to undertake the conversion courses to registered general nurses.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNot all the information requested is held centrally.
Information supplied by the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting shows that 2,639 enrolled nurses were on conversion courses at 4 January 1990. By 14 February 1990 conversion courses in 210 educational institutions had been approved by the board. This compares with six by 31 March 1985.
Enrolled nurses converting to the first level qualification of registered general nurse must receive training which meets the EC equivalent for a nurse responsible for general care. The number of places available may be constrained in some areas by the availability of clinical placements, particularly in obstetrics and mental illness-handicap. We are asking health authorities to make plans for further conversion courses and to consider the more flexible modes of conversion agreed by the board which build on additional experience gained since qualification. We have also provided funding to the first 13 Project 2000 demonstration districts for an expansion of 232 places for enrolled nurses in 1989–90. We are considering further bids from schools and colleges of nursing to commence Project 2000 training in 1990–91 and are ensuring that these plans contain firm proposals for conversion courses.