§ 17. Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on recent changes in the number of nurses in the NHS. [151965]
§ Mr. DenhamLatest figures (Hospital and Community Health Services Workforce Census 2000) show that the number of nurses working in the NHS has increased significantly by 6,310 (1.9 per cent. between 1999 and 2000). This represents progress towards the NHS Plan work force target of 20,000 (headcount) extra nurses and midwives by 2004 and means there are now over 17,100 more nurses since 1997.
§ 32. Ms WardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made with increasing the number of nurses working in the NHS. [151981]
§ Mr. DenhamThe NHS Plan set out to increase the number of nurses and midwives by 20,000 (headcount) from 1999 to 2004. We have already made substantial progress towards this target. From 1999 to 2000, the number of nurses has increased by 6,310.