§ 31. Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much the number of front-line doctors, dentists, nurses and professional and technical staff has changed since 1979.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe information required is shown in the table:
NHS Staff in post at 30 September of each year Whole-time equivalent1 1979 1988 WTE Change Medical and Dental Staff2 39,000 44,700 5,800 Nursing and Midwifery Staff3 358,400 403,900 45,400 Professional and Technical Staff 60,100 79,800 19,600 Source: Department of Health (SM 13) Annual Censuses of NHS Medical and Non-Medical Manpower.
1All figures independently rounded to the nearest one hundred (100) whole-time equivalent.
2Includes all permanent paid, honorary and locum staff in hospitals and primary health care services, hospital practitioners and part-time medical/dental officers.
3Includes agency staff. Not adjusted for the reduction in nurses working hours during 1980–81 from 40 to 37.5 hours per week.