HC Deb 04 May 1993 vol 224 cc64-5W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are currently employed in the national health service; at what average salary; and what were the equivalent figures in 1979.

Mr. Sackville

The number of nurses and midwives—whole-time equivalents—employed in the national health service at 30 September 1991 and at 30 September 1979, excluding agency staff, are as follows:

Adjusted
11979 378,050
1991 392,200
1 The 1979 figure has been adjusted to reflect the fact that in 1980–81 the working week reduced from 40 to 37.5 hours.

An estimated average annual nurse's salary is £14,560 with effect from 1 April 1992. This figure represents the basic staff nurse (scale D) earnings. There is no comparable figure available for 1979.

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