HC Deb 29 January 1992 vol 202 cc621-2W
23. Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of nurses in training in each of the Scottish health boards.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

As the answer is lengthy I will, with permission, circulate the information in theOfficial Report. However, between 1980 and 1991 the number of qualified nurses in the NHS in Scotland rose by 30 per cent. to over 36,400.

Qualified nurses: Changes in demand and supply Scotland: 1980 to 19911
1980 1991 Percentage change
Qualified nurses (WTE) 28,028 36,442 +30
Nurses in training2 12,414 10,005 -19
Basic students1 6,998 7,940 +13
Pupils4 3,287 236 -93
Basic students and pupils 10,285 8,176 -21
Net leaving rate - RGN5 14.0 10.6 -24
Net leaving rate - EN5 14.5 9.9 -32
1These data are derived from the annual 30 September census of NHS staff. Data for 1991 are provisional.
2Includes post registration/enrollment training.
3Excludes post registration students. Note that students become registered nurses when qualified.
4Note that pupils become enrolled nurses when qualified.
5Net rates refer to nurses in post at one annual census who have left by the next (1991 refers to leavers between 30 September 1990 and 30 September 1991; 1980 refers to leavers between 30 September 1980 and 30 September 1981). These rates include only nurses who have left the NHS in Scotland. Interboard transfers are excluded.
Nurses in training in Scotland as at 30 September 1991 (Provisional)
Health Board Number of nurses
Argyll and Clyde 672
Ayrshire and Arran 459
Borders 168
Dumfries and Galloway 286
Fife 505
Forth Valley 494
Grampian 754
Greater Glasgow 2,712
Highland 347
Lanarkshire 782
Lothian 1,778
Tayside 991
Orkney 17
Shetland 10
Western Isles 30
Scotland 10,005

Between 1980 and 1991 the number of qualified nurses in the national health service in Scotland rose by 30 per cent. to over 36,400.