§ 22. Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total cost to the National Health Service of training of medical, nursing and ancillary staff in 1981–82.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinDirect expenditure by my Department is about £23 million and £57 million respectively for postgraduate medical education and nurse training. Up-to-date figures are not available of the cost to health authorities for medical staff training, but for nurse training these costs amount to some £303 million. This figure does not take account of the value to the NHS of services to patients provided by student and pupil nurses. Training for staff in the ancillary grades is generally carried out on an on-the-job basis and the cost cannot be separately identified.