§ Mr. ChisholmTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of newly qualified nurses in Scotland in 1992 were given a national health service nursing job.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 18 February 1993]: The exact information requested is not available centrally. The table shows the status of nurses who were final year students in Scotland on 30 September 1991 one year later.
It should be noted that the methods by which this information is collected do not permit account to be taken of certain students, for example those who have been unable to complete their training within the normal three-year period; those who, having qualified, may have chosen to have a break in service before seeking employment; those who have found employment as a nurse outwith the NHS; and those who may have qualified, joined the NHS and left within a census period. Those who qualify and work occasionally in the NHS, for example, bank or agency nurses, also cannot be identified and have therefore been counted with the "not employed" category.
Status of final year basic student nurses in Scotland one year later; year beginning 30 September 1991:
Status at 30 September 1992 Headcount Per cent. In post in NHS 1,263 54.1 Taking further training in NHS 26 1.1 Not employed in NHS 1,044 44.7 Total 2,333 100