§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nurses have left the National Health Service to seek employment abroad during 1979, 1980 and to the nearest available date in 1981.
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§ Dr. VaughanThe Department does not collect information on the number of nurses who leave the National Health Service to seek employment abroad. However, the General Nursing Council, in its annual report, provides details of the number of nurses who apply for verification of their qualifications to be sent to a registered authority in another country. The figures for the years ending 31 March 1979, 1980 and 1981 are as follows:
Number 1979 3,957 1980 4,333 1981 4,523 These figures relate to registered and enrolled nurses in England and Wales and include those employed in the private sector. These figures do not, of course, include nurses taking up employment in a country which does not require verification of qualifications.