§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the number of nurses currently leaving nurse training schools who wish to serve in the national health service but find no post to go to; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleRegional health authorities are responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient trained nurses to meet local requirements. With around 390,000 full-time nursing posts in the national health service in England, the matching of newly qualified nurses to vacancies is best handled at local level.
The Department does not routinely collect information on nursing vacancies or newly qualified nurses seeking employment.