HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 c927W
31. Sir Hector Monro

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nurses, doctors and dentists were employed by the national health service in Scotland in 1980 and in 1995. [38740]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The whole-time equivalent number of nurses and midwives has increased from 27,398 in 1980 to 35,378 in 1995, a rise of 29 per cent.; hospital and community medical staff have increased from 5,629 in 1980 to 6,849 in 1995, a rise of 22 per cent.; hospital and community dental staff have reduced from 525 in 1980 to 446 in 1995, a drop of 15 per cent.