HC Deb 18 October 1989 vol 158 cc142-3W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is for each year since 1974 the number of National Health Service ambulance staff.

Mr. Mellor

The information is given in the table. Most of the increase shown for ambulance men and women represent qualified staff.

National Health Service staff in post in England—at 30 September
each year Whole-time equivalent1
Year Ambulance officers and Control assistants Ambulancemen/Women Total
19742 2,722 13,310 16,032
1975 3,008 14,489 17,497
1976 3,046 14,138 17,184
1977 3,130 14,272 17,402
1978 3,221 14,301 17,522
1979 3,156 13,979 17,129
1980 3,214 14,554 17,768
1981 3,293 14,928 18,221
1982 3,265 15,059 18,324
Year Ambulance officers and Control assistants Ambulancemen/Women Total
1983 3,249 15,148 18,397
1984 3,174 14,930 18,103
1985 3,139 15,049 18,188
1986 3,124 15,841 18,966
1987 3,037 15,973 19,010
1988 2,980 15,781 18,761

Source: Department of Health (SHI3) annual census of NHS non-medical manpower.

Percentage pay settlement
Year (1 August to 31 July) Ambulance staff1 Nurses and mid-wives Doctors and dentists General managers2
1979–80 39.0 37.9 31.4
1980–81 7.3 6.0 6.0
1981–82 6.0 6.2
1982–83 4.5 312.3 9.7
1983–84 4.5 7.5 6.9
1984–85 47.8 58.6 6.3
1985–86 6.0 7.8 7.6
1986–87 5.0 9.5 7.7 5.9
1987–88 65.4 17.9 7.9 5.0
1988–89 6.8 8.2 5.5
1 Figures exclude ambulance officers and control assistants.
2 Permanent arrangements for the newly created general manager posts were introduced during 1985–86.
3 Two-year award paid wholly in 1982–83.
4 Assumes all productivity allowances achieved; move to salaried pay structure 1 March.
5 Staged award; final part paid with effect from 1 February 1986.
6 In addition the standard working week was reduced by one hour.