26. Mr. Michael FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on steps being taken to increase the number of NHS nurses working in Worcester. [34727]
§ Yvette CooperInitiatives to increase the number of national health service nurses now working in the Worcester area include the appointment of a recruitment adviser, the provision of additional nursery places, Improving Working Lives initiatives, local, regional and overseas recruitment initiatives and the introduction of comprehensive professional development opportunities for nursing staff.
§ 27. Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future supply of nurses. [34728]
§ Mr. HuttonFigures released on 5 February show that we have met the NHS Plan target for 20,000 more nurses by 2004 well ahead of schedule.
The NHS Plan also commits us to 5,500 more nurses and midwives entering training each year by 2004. We are on course to achieve this and applications for nurse training are rising. Over the last two years the number of applicants for nursing and midwifery diploma courses has risen by 86 per cent.