§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many(a) part-time and (b) full-time midwives were serving in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the recruitment of midwives in Northern Ireland.[142668]
§ Angela SmithThe information requested is as follows:
Number of part-time and full-time midwives working in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years Part-time Full-time Count 1WTE Count WTE September 1999 668 437.89 563 563.00 September 2000 706 461.83 506 506.00 September 2001 738 477.92 497 497.00 September 2002 758 492.76 498 498.00 September 2003 769 500.56 508 508.00 1 Whole Time Equivalent Source:
Human Resource Management System
The Department currently commissions 40 places per annum on an 18 month shortened pre-registration midwifery training programme for registered nurses and the current group of students will complete their course in March 2004. A further group of 40 students commenced training in November 2003. In addition the DHSSPS as a new initiative has commissioned 15 places on a three year direct entry pre-registration midwifery programme in September 2003.