Nurses

HC Deb 13 June 1985 vol 80 cc537-8W

29. Mr. Martin

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nurses qualified for work in Northern Ireland hospitals in 1984.

Mr. Chris Patten

1,423.

Rev. Martin Smyth

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to seek to ensure that implementation of the nurses' pay award does not lead to any decrease in the number of nurses employed by the health service in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Chris Patten

It is for the health and social services boards to determine the number of nurses they employ in the light of the various demands on their resources, including priorities for the development of services.

Rev. Martin Smyth

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nurses and midwives in Northern Ireland earn less than £101 per week take-home pay; what proportion of the total nursing and midwifery staff in Northern Ireland this represents; and if he will break down the figures into grades.

Mr. Chris Patten

16,601, including approximately 8,500 part-time staff and student nurses. Excluding the latter this represents about 40 per cent. of the total. The breakdown is:

Grade	Number
Nursing Officer II	139
Health Visitor	6
Fieldwork Teacher
Nursing Sister II	341
Deputy Nursing Sister	58
Staff Nurse	6,396
National Nursing Examination Board	l4
Enrolled Nurse	3,408
Nursing Auxiliary	3,053
Student Nurse	3,186
Total	16,601

NoteThe available information does not distinguish between statutory and non-statutory deductions (for example car loans, national savings, union deductions and so on).

Rev. Martin Smyth

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now arrange a meeting between himself and representatives of the Royal College of Nursing Board for Northern Ireland to discuss the findings of the review body on nurses and midwives pay.

Mr. Chris Patten

No. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) on 6 June 1985, at columns 194–96. The awards will be applied to Northern Ireland.