§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of whether a sufficient number of people are qualifying as nurses and of the Royal College of Nursing report "Opening the Door".
§ Mr. SackvilleThe number of training commissions required to supply an adequate number of newly qualified staff is determined by local employers, to ensure a good balance between demand and supply of highly qualified trained nurses. Regional plans to commission training places are monitored and overseen by the national health service executive.
We welcome the publication of the Royal College of Nursing report "Opening the Door" as it shows a healthy majority of both newly qualified and experienced nurses gain considerable job satisfaction from their posts and do not wish to work outside nursing.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses were trained in 1994; how many are expected to be trained in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleIn 1993–94 22,829 students started courses of nurse education. Confirmed figures are not yet available for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97. Final figures for these years will be provided in due course in the annual reports of the English National Board of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.