§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students enrolled on health visitor qualification courses in each year since 1990.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information is shown in the table.
Year ending 31 March Entries to training 1991 753 1992 694 1993 684 SourceEnglish National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Annual Report 1992–93 Table 5.3.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health visitors were employed by the NHS in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information available is shown in the table. In addition, during the period 30 September 1988 to 30 September 1992 the number of practice nurses increased by 162 per cent. from 3,480 to 9,120.
Year Health visitors 1981 9,530 1982 9,810 1983 10,040 1984 9,700 1985 10,680 1986 10,800 1987 10,730 1988 10,680 1989 10,050 1990 10,480 1991 10,380 1992 10,250 SourceNon-Medical Workforce Census.
445WNotes:
1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 whole time equivalents.
2. Figures for 1989 have to be treated with caution due to under recording of areas of work by South East Thames regional health authority.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her Department's policy on the number of health visitors.
Mr. SackvillleStaffing levels are the responsibility of local managers who, with advice from professional representatives, are in the best position to consider the amount and type of work to be done. It is for them to use the best skills on offer to deliver a high quality service whatever the background discipline.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the areas where the numbers of health visitors is proposed to be cut by FHSAs.
§ Mr. SackvilleFamily health service authorities do not normally employ health visitors. Health visitors are usually employed by trusts or directly managed units. District health authorities and general practitioner fund holders usually commission health visitor services.