---

NHS: Staff

Answer

The information is shown in the following table.

England								Headcount and percentages
	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
All doctors	86,584	89,619	91,837	94,953	97,436	100,319	104,460	109,964
Consultants (including Directors of public health)	20,402	21,474	22,324	23,321	24,401	25,782	27,070	28,750
Registrars	11,385	11,909	12,131	12,682	12,730	13,220	13,770	14,619
Other doctors in training	17,483	18,404	18,717	18,845	19,192	19,572	21,145	22,701
Hospital practitioners and clinical assistants (non-dental specialties) ¹	6,745	6,606	6,318	6,006	5,621	5,362	4,863	4,451
Other medical and dental staff	8,198	8,443	8,968	9,146	9,744	9,910	10,183	10,330
GPs total ²	29,116	29,389	29,697	30,959	31,369	31,835	32,292	33,564
GP Providers ³	26,970	27,200	27,489	27,681	27,791	27,938	28,117	28,646
Other GPs	841	846	762	786	802	864	1,085	1,712
GP registrars 4	1,305	1,343	1,446	1,520	1,659	1,883	1,980	2,235
GP retainers 5	.	.	.	972	1,117	1,150	1,110	971
Total qualified nursing staff 6	319,151	318,856	323,457	329,637	335,952	350,381	367,520	386,359
Qualified nursing, midwifery & health visiting staff	301,253	300,467	304,563	310,142	316,752	330,535	346,537	364,692
GP practice nurses 7	17,898	18,389	18,894	19,495	19,200	19,846	20,983	21,667
Total qualified scientific, therapeutic & technical staff 8	94,320	96,298	99,656	102,391	105,910	110,241	116,598	122,066
Qualified Allied Health Professions	43,906	45,022	46,448	53,105	54,788	57,001	59,415	62,189
Other qualified scientific, therapeutic & technical staff	50,414	51,276	53,208	49,286	51,122	53,240	57,183	59,877
Qualified ambulance staff 9	14,720	14,941	14,781	14,783	14,755	14,855	15,609	15,957
Support to clinical staff	281,897	283,871	289,363	296,619	307,225	325,890	344,524	360,666
Support to doctors & nursing staff	237,846	240,040	243,960	249,216	257,136	271,978	287,098	298,752
Support to scientific, therapeutic & technical staff	38,009	38,074	39,162	40,465	41,800	44,602	48,030	52,230
Support to ambulance staff	6,042	5,757	6,241	6,938	8,289	9,310	9,396	9,684
NHS infrastructure support	174,165	170,623	168,448	171,205	173,733	179,783	189,274	199,808
Central functions	70,621	70,647	71,079	73,996	77,628	81,439	85,706	92,257
Hotel, property & estates	82,280	77,803	74,676	72,922	70,849	70,920	71,274	72,230
Manager & senior manager	21,264	22,173	22,693	24,287	25,256	27,424	32,294	35,321
Other non-medical staff or those with unknown classification	6,183	2,820	1,939	2,427	877	1,224	657	657
Other GP practice staff ²	79,481	81,658	82,081	86,333	83,070	84,473	86,292	88,424

England								headcount and percentages
	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	Change 1996-2009	Percentage change 1996-2009
All doctors	117,806	122,987	126,251	128,210	133,662	140,897	54,313	62.7%
Consultants (including Directors of public health)	30,650	31,993	32,874	33,674	34,910	36,950	16,548	81.1%
Registrars	16,823	18,006	18,808	30,759	35,042	37,108	25,723	225.9%
Other doctors in training	24,874	26,305	27,461	16,024	14,136	14,394	-3,089	-17.7%
Hospital practitioners and clinical assistants (non-dental specialties) ¹	4,045	3,587	3,077	2,848	2,761	2,333	-4,412	-65.4%
Other medical and dental staff	10,604	10,739	11,100	11,333	11,854	12,176	3,978	48.5%
GPs total ²	34,855	35,944	36,008	36,420	37,720	40,269	11,153	38.3%
GP Providers ³	28,781	29,340	27,691	27,342	27,347	27,613	643	2.4%
Other GPs	2,742	3,398	5,400	6,022	6,663	8,304	7,463	887.4%
GP registrars 4	2,562	2,564	2,278	2,491	3,203	3,881	2,576	197.4%
GP retainers 5	770	642	639	565	507	471	.	.
Total qualified nursing staff 6	397,515	404,161	398,335	399,597	408,160	417,164	98,013	30.7%
Qualified nursing, midwifery & health visiting staff	375,371	381,257	374,538	376,737	386,112	395,229	93,976	31.2%
GP practice nurses 7	22,144	22,904	23,797	22,860	22,048	21,935	4,037	22.6%
Total qualified scientific, therapeutic & technical staff 8	128,883	134,534	134,498	136,976	142,558	149,596	55,276	58.6%
Qualified Allied Health Professions	65,515	67,841	67,483	68,687	71,301	73,953	30,047	68.4%
Other qualified scientific, therapeutic & technical staff	63,368	66,693	67,015	68,289	71,257	75,643	25,229	50.0%
Qualified ambulance staff 9	17,272	18,117	16,176	17,028	17,451	17,922	3,202	21.8%
Support to clinical staff	368,285	376,219	357,877	346,596	355,010	377,617	95,720	34.0%
Support to doctors & nursing staff	303,630	310,441	291,098	281,894	286,254	303,424	65,578	27.6%
Support to scientific, therapeutic & technical staff	55,025	55,715	54,307	53,259	55,689	59,831	21,822	57.4%
Support to ambulance staff	9,630	10,063	12,472	11,443	13,067	14,362	8,320	137.7%
NHS infrastructure support	211,489	220,387	209,387	207,778	219,064	236,103	61,938	35.6%
Central functions	99,831	105,565	101,860	100,177	105,354	115,818	45,197	64.0%
Hotel, property & estates	73,932	75,431	70,776	71,102	73,797	75,624	-6,656	-8.1%
Manager & senior manager	37,726	39,391	36,751	36,499	39,913	44,661	23,397	110.0%
Other non-medical staff or those with unknown classification	497	435	410	409	353	364	-5,819	-94.1%
Other GP practice staff ²	90,110	89,190	95,845	94,515	92,436	92,333	12,852	16.2%

"Notes:""1 In order to avoid double counting Hospital Practitioners & Clinical Assistants (HPCAs) are excluded from the all doctors totals, as they are predominantly GPs that work part time in hospitals (applies to headcount data only).""2 GP Data as at 1 October 1996-1999 and 30 September 2000-2009""3 National level headcount totals for ‘GP Providers’ and ‘Other GPs’ have been revised from those published in March 2010 from 28,607 to 27,613 and from 7,310 to 8,304 respectively. The revision has been made due to miscoding of GP type""4 GP Registrar count for 2008 & 2009 represents an improvement in data collection processes and comparisons with previous years should be treated with caution""5 GP retainers were first collected in 1999""6 Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife.""7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "1 In order to avoid double counting Hospital Practitioners & Clinical Assistants (HPCAs) are excluded from the all doctors totals, as they are predominantly GPs that work part time in hospitals (applies to headcount data only).""2 GP Data as at 1 October 1996-1999 and 30 September 2000-2009""3 National level headcount totals for ‘GP Providers’ and ‘Other GPs’ have been revised from those published in March 2010 from 28,607 to 27,613 and from 7,310 to 8,304 respectively. The revision has been made due to miscoding of GP type""4 GP Registrar count for 2008 & 2009 represents an improvement in data collection processes and comparisons with previous years should be treated with caution""5 GP retainers were first collected in 1999""6 Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife.""7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "2 GP Data as at 1 October 1996-1999 and 30 September 2000-2009""3 National level headcount totals for ‘GP Providers’ and ‘Other GPs’ have been revised from those published in March 2010 from 28,607 to 27,613 and from 7,310 to 8,304 respectively. The revision has been made due to miscoding of GP type""4 GP Registrar count for 2008 & 2009 represents an improvement in data collection processes and comparisons with previous years should be treated with caution""5 GP retainers were first collected in 1999""6 Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife.""7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "3 National level headcount totals for ‘GP Providers’ and ‘Other GPs’ have been revised from those published in March 2010 from 28,607 to 27,613 and from 7,310 to 8,304 respectively. The revision has been made due to miscoding of GP type""4 GP Registrar count for 2008 & 2009 represents an improvement in data collection processes and comparisons with previous years should be treated with caution""5 GP retainers were first collected in 1999""6 Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife.""7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "4 GP Registrar count for 2008 & 2009 represents an improvement in data collection processes and comparisons with previous years should be treated with caution""5 GP retainers were first collected in 1999""6 Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife.""7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "5 GP retainers were first collected in 1999""6 Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife.""7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "6 Nursing and midwifery figures exclude students on training courses leading to a first qualification as a nurse or midwife.""7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "7 Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for 1999 based on the 1997 fte to headcount ratio.""8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "8 To make the census data comparable with the Review Body for Nursing Staff and Other Health Professionals definitions, qualified Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) now include Speech & Language Therapists (previously these were included in Other Qualified ST&T staff). For comparability historical data has been reassigned to match the revised definition. The numbers of AHPs will not match those published in previous years.""9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "9 In 2006 ambulance staff were collected under new, more detailed, occupation codes. As a result, qualified totals and support to ambulance staff totals are not directly comparable with previous years.""' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "' . ' denotes not applicable""Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "Data quality""The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses." "The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses."

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

6646; 725 c144-9WA

Session

2010-12

Subjects

NHS Staff Allied health professions Scientists Technicians

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk