§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the number of(a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) consultants employed in Scotland's hospitals. [22390]
§ Mr. GalbraithThe information is shown in the table.
Hospital staff employed by the NHS in Scotland Year Nurses1 Doctors2, 3 Consultants2, 3 1978 24,145 5,826 1,837 1979 24,512 5,998 1,868 1980 25,318 6,020 1,887 1981 27,124 6,181 1,907 1982 28,508 6,206 1,932 1983 29,521 6,305 1,951 1984 30,358 6,332 1,994 1985 31,177 6,319 2,008 1986 31,788 6,242 2,025 1987 32,432 6,227 2,061 1988 33,672 6,529 2,129 1989 34,367 6,584 2,139 1990 34,637 6,693 2,216 1991 35,228 6,706 2,230 1992 35,430 6,884 2,253 1993 34,822 6,942 2,292 1994 34,861 7,164 2,350 1995 34,590 7,339 2,470 1996 34,460 7,620 2,572 1 Nurses are defined as qualified nurses. The transfer of elderly, physically and mentally infirm, and patients with learning disabilities out of long-term hospital care to community based settings since 1992 has resulted in a number of hospital nurses moving to a community setting. 2 Excludes community medical staff. 3 Doctors include consultants.