§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in which years since 1997 applications for nurse training places from suitably qualified applicants have exceeded the number of places available; and if he will make a statement. [171822]
§ Mr. HuttonThe information requested is not available. Information on the number of applicants to pre-registration nursing and midwifery training commissions and the number of training commissions available each year is shown in the tables.
The national health service recruitment campaign was launched on 1 March to raise the profile of careers in the NHS and encourage new entrants into training and the Government is increasing the number of training places for nurses and midwives. Between 1997–98 and 2002–03, the number of pre-registration nursing and midwifery training commissions has increased by 6,417, or 39 per cent., with a further increase forecast in 2003–04.
(Diana Organ), on 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 319W.