§ 44. Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nurses were employed in hospitals in England and Wales in May 1974 and 1979, respectively; and what increase or decrease is represented by the total for the current year, as against that for 1974, when account is taken of intervening changes in working hours and leave entitlement, as well as training courses and administrative commitments.
§ Dr. VaughanInformation is not available centrally in the precise form requested by my hon. Friend. On 1 April 1974, the total number of nursing and midwifery staff employed in the National Health Service in England, in terms of whole-time 123W equivalents, was 303,142. The corresponding number on 31 March 1978, the latest date for which figures are available, was 338,142, an increase of 35,000. There were no changes of working hours in this period, but there were some improvements in leave allowances and an additional public holiday was introduced. These are estimated to have required 13,200 staff, leaving an adjusted increase of 21,800 or 7.2 per cent. It is not possible to estimate the effect of any changes in attendance at training courses or administrative commitments. The figures quoted relate to both qualified and unqualified nursing staff; they do not include agency nurses or nursing cadets.