§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students started a(a) diploma in nursing and (b) degree in nursing courses in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999; and what was the drop-out rate for each year's intake. [112918]
§ Mr. DenhamInformation on the numbers of students commencing nursing diploma and degree courses for the period 1997 to 1999 and attrition rates for 1997 and 1998 are shown in the table. Data on students entering training are published by English National Board in their Annual Report. The numbers entering training in 1999–2000 are based upon the latest forecast from education consortia. It is not possible to provide an attrition rate for the 1999 student intakes since they are incomplete.
1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 Nursing diploma intake 14,162 15,410 16,552 Attrition 16.1 per cent. 5.9 per cent. n/a Nursing degree intake 1,214 1,202 1,805 Attrition 13.3 per cent. 8.2 per cent. n/a Notes:
1. Intake data are taken from the English National Board annual report for 1997–98 and 1998–99 and the Financial and Workforce Planning Returns for 1999–2000.
2. Attrition data are taken from the English National board annual report.