§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the numbers of nurses employed by the National Health Service for each of the past 10 years.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information requested is shown in the table.
National Health Service directly employed Nursing and Midwifery Staff1 2 3 (including agency staff) England At 30 September Whole time equivalent 1977 343,200 1978 351,000 1979 358,400 1980 370,100 1981 391,800 1982 397,100 1983 397,100 1984 397,500 1985 401,200 41986 402,100 Source: DHSS Annual Census of NHS Non-Medical Manpower
1 Figures are rounded to the nearest one hundred (100) whole time equivalents.
2 Includes qualified staff, learners and unqualified staff.
3 In 1980 nurses' working hours were reduced from 40 to 37.5 hours per week. Figures are not adjusted to take account of this change.
4 Provisional