Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what percentage of nurses employed by the NHS in full-time positions 12 months ago remain in full-time employment in the NHS today; and what the retention rates for full-time nursing staff in (a) 2000, (b) 2005 and (c) 2010.

NHS Digital publishes quarterly data on turnover of staff working in the National Health Service in England.

82.9% of nurses who were employed by the NHS in full time position in May 2016 were identified as employed by the NHS in a full-time position in May 2017.

85.6% of nurses who were employed by the NHS in full time position in May 2010 were identified as employed by the NHS in a full-time position in May 2011.

Data prior to 2009 is not available.

Source: NHS Digital, Provisional NHS Hospital and Community Health Service monthly workforce statistics