§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many extra nurses he has recruited; and if he will make a statement. [80842]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesInformation on individual Trust recruitment is not held centrally.
Annual intakes of nursing students in Wales have increased from 656 in 1994 to 992 in 1998. In February 1999, there were 2,282 nursing students in Wales being trained to meet NHS Trusts' demands for newly qualified staff. As a result of a survey of individual Trusts' needs, advertisements will be placed in local newspapers to attract registered nurses back to the NHS in Wales and we shall be asking Trusts to provide information on the outcome of this campaign in due course.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.