HC Deb 12 July 1972 vol 840 cc369-70W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are employed in the National Health Service; and if he will show the total under appropriate groupings.

Mr. Alison

In terms of whole-time equivalents, approximately 657,200 in England and Wales at 30th September, 1971. These consisted of (in thousands):

Hospital service
Medical and dental … 24.6
Nursing and Midwifery … 263.5
Professional and technical … 36.8
Administrative and clerical … 57.7
Ancillary staff … 208.7
Total hospital service … 591.3

Executive Council service
Staff of executive councils dental estimates board and joint pricing committees 8.1
Local Authority service
Community health services 57.8

In addition to these further 32.9 thousand general medical and general dental practitioners were under contracts for services.