HC Deb 18 May 1994 vol 243 cc472-3W
Mr. William O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nursing and midwifery staff, excluding agency staff, were employed by each health and social services board in each year since 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

It is for employing authorities to decide the number of nursing and midwifery staff to be employed and the appropriate skill mix to ensure the provision of a quality service to patients and clients.

The information requested is detailed in the table:

Nursing and Midwifery Staffing Levels
September 1991 WTE September 1992 WTE September 1993 WTE
Board Trained Nurses Student Nurses Other Nurses Trained Nurses Student Nurses Other Nurses Trained Nurses Student Nurses Other Nurses
EHSSB 6,016 1,411 1,746 5,859 889 1,783 5,720 308 1,806
NHSSB 2,158 150 411 2,152 60 412 2,164 6 420
SHSSB 1,955 138 548 2,001 40 563 2,025 2 573
WHSSB 2,088 352 486 2,088 165 517 2,022 36 544
TOTAL 12,217 2,051 3,191 12,100 1,154 3,275 11,931 352 3,343
Notes:
1. WTE=Whole Time Equivalent.
2. Figures for Student Nurses represent Traditional Nurse Students and exclude Project 2000 Nurse Students. (Project 2000 Nurse Students are not employees.)

Mr. William O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many managerial staff were employed by each health and social services board in each year since 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ancram

Figures for the managerial staff group specifically are not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. The table shows the combined managerial, administrative and clerical staffing levels in whole time equivalents in the four board areas since 1991.

Board September 1991 September 1992 September 1993
Eastern 3,555 3,720 3,621
Northern 1,325 1,395 1,490
Southern 967 1,044 1,061
Western 912 1,006 1,018
Total 6,759 7,165 7,190

The intention of the HPSS reforms is to create more effective management of the services and a consequent improvement in patient client care.