§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish details of the whole-time equivalent numbers of(a) agency and (b) bank nursing and midwifery staff employed in the NHS for each year since 1987.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information available is shown in the table.
Bank and agency nursing and midwifery staff—England at 30 September each year Whole-time equivalents Year Bank Agency 1987 4,920 6,130 1988 5,830 6,240 1989 5,910 7,230 1990 6,230 6,710 1991 8,540 3,930 1992 10,020 3,230 Notes:
1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
The increase in bank nurses and midwives together with the corresponding decrease in agency nurses and midwives reflects the more widespread flexible working arrangements in the NHS for nurses and midwives.