§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time midwives are employed in the NHS; and how many were employed(a) five years ago and (b) 10 years ago. [173581]
§ Mr. HuttonThe information requested is shown in the following table.
NHS hospital and community health services: registered midwives by nature of contract in England as at 30 September each year Headcount Total Full-time Part-time Blank/Unknown 2003 23,941 10,462 11,796 1,683 1998 22,841 11,638 9,511 1,692 1993 23,353 12,205 7,185 3,963 Notes: 1. A new classification of the non-medical workforce was introduced in 1995. 2. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years. Source: Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the merits of permitting people to commence midwifery training without having to undergo prior training as a nurse. [173738]
§ Mr. HuttonEntry requirements, content or structure of pre-registration nursing and midwifery training programmes are matters which are the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Council as the regulatory body for these professions. The arrangements for direct entry midwifery training leading to professional qualifications and the right to practice have proved successful over the last decade and have the support of the professional bodies and higher education institutions.