HC Deb 29 January 2001 vol 362 c51W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra nurse, midwife and health visiting training places will be created in each year from 2001 to 2004 expressed in the same terms as the figures in NHS Plan; and if he will make a statement. [147557]

Mr. Denham

As a result of the NHS Plan there will be 5,500 more nurses, midwives and health visitors being trained each year than today. Our latest forecast is for 20,325 places in 2000–01, an increase of 1,618 on the 1999–2000 baseline figure of 18,707. We plan to commission a further 1,000 places in 2001–02 and apportion the remaining increase over 2002–03 and 2003–04.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra training places for therapists and professional staff will be created in each year from 2001 to 2004 expressed in the same terms as the figures in NHS Plan; and if he will make a statement. [147556]

Mr. Denham

As a result of the NHS Plan there will be 4,450 more therapists and other key professional staff being trained each year by 2004. Our latest forecast is for 6,553 training places in 2000–01, an increase of 576 on the 1999 baseline figure of 5,977. We plan to commission a further 700 places in 2001–02 and to commission the balance in 2002–03 and 2003–04.