§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total nursing establishment for the National Health Service; and by how many the establishment is under strength at the present time.
§ Mrs. CurrieI regret that detailed information of this nature is not available centrally. However, I am aware of the results of a survey of a sample of health authorities in England conducted for the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives and Health Visitors which showed that at 31 March 1985 about 2.5 per cent. of whole-time equivalent funded posts for all nursing and midwifery staff had remained vacant for over three months.