HC Deb 09 March 1999 vol 327 c139W
Mrs. Laing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people(a) undertook nurse training and (b) qualified as trained nurses, and how many and what percentage of qualified nurses gained employment in the NHS, in each year since 1992. [74514]

Mr. Galbraith

The available information is as follows:

(a) Student nurse intakes (b) Student nurse completions
1992–93 2,325 2,359
1993–94 2.377 2,295
1994–95 2,230 2,047
1995–96 2,209 1,805
1996–97 2,386 1,683
1997–98 2,367 1,606

(c) Information on the percentage of qualified nurses gaining employment in the NHS is available centrally for the years 1992 to 1994 only. It is published in Table 9.16 of Scottish Health Statistics 1996, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

Note:

The reduction in completions results from reduced intakes during the period 1990–95, which included the introduction of P2000 courses in place of the old style '1982' courses.

From 1997–98 onwards, intakes have been informed by the annual Student Nurse Intake Plans, which assess the supply and demand of nurses. These exercises are conducted in partnership with the Management Executive, NHS Trusts, Health Boards and the Private Sector and includes all specialist areas in nursing. The model used takes account of demographic trends including the age profiles of nurses currently employed within the NHS, and the number of students which require to be trained is estimated over a 5 year cycle.

Source:

Training Data—National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland

Employment Data—Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency for the NHS in Scotland.

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.