Written question asked by Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 March 2001. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 March 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many midwives there were in (a) May 1997, (b) 1979 and (c) at the latest date for which figures are available (i) in total and (ii) in full-time equivalents; and if he will assess the impact of the 1994-95 change from a pay scale based system to an occupation code-based one. - Inc table.

Answer: Mrs. Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives there were in (a) May 1997, (b) 1979 and (c) at the latest date for which figures are available (i) in total and (ii) in full-time equivalents; and if he will assess the impact of the 1994-95 change from a pay scale based system to an occupation code-based one. [142990] Mr. Denham: The information requested is set out in the table. The system of classifying National Health Service staff by occupation code introduced in 1995 has proved successful, improving quality of information and at the same time reducing the burden on data suppliers. NHS hospital and community health services: midwifery staff in England as at 30 September each year _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Whole time equivalent Headcount 1979 20,020 {1}-- 1997 18,050 22,380 1999 17,880 22,800 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Not available Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 2. Figures exclude learners and agency staff 3. A new classification of the non-medical work force was introduced in 1995 4. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years Source: Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Secondary information