§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the total number of persons employed in(a) private health systems, (b) NHS or equivalent and (c) the overall total in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) Germany and (iii) France;
(2) if he will list the number of nurses employed in (a) private health systems, (b) the national health service or equivalent and (c) the overall totals in (i) the United Kingdom with those employed, (ii) Germany and (iii) France.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe available information for England is given in the table. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland. Information regarding Germany and France is not collected by this Department. My hon. Friend may wish to approach the embassies concerned for details.
Total staff and nursing and midwifery staff employed in NHS and private sector—England: 19891 Number WTE Nursing and midwifery staff: National health service2 486,700 405,300 Private health systems3 4 109,500 78,500 Total staff: National health service5 970,900 796,600 Source: Department of Health (SMI3) Censuses of medical and non-medical manpower and (SMI2) K036 return.
1All figures are independently rounded to the nearest hundred (100).
2Includes agency staff, qualified nurses and midwives, learners and unqualified staff.
3The only data collected centrally on private sector staff relates to private hospitals, homes and clinics registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984.
4"Whole time equivalent" relates to the contracted hours of employment in the individual establishments and does not equate to the 37.5 hour standard week worked by NHS nursing staff.
5Includes staff at the Dental Estimates Board, Prescription Pricing Authority, London Post-Graduate Special Health Authorities and Family Practitioner Committees and other statutory authorities, agency staff, permanent paid and honorary staff and locums.