To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time and whole-time equivalent nursing posts (a) are vacant and (b) have been vacant for over three months in each region in the UK.

Results from the 2001 national health service vacancy survey can be found on the internet at www.doh.gov.uk/public/vacancysurvey.htm.

We collect only whole-time equivalent data for three month vacancies in England.

Matters relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the devolved Administrations.

Notes:

1. Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).

2. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.

3. England totals include staff from Special Health Authorities.

4. Totals may not equal sum of component parts due to rounding.

Source:

Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001