2009 ended on a positive note. The private market sales for the final quarter of the year (October to December) increased 9.5% over the fourth quarter of 2008 and NHS sales were up 3.6%. It must be noted, however, that October to December 2008 sales were relatively low. Total private market sales for 2009 compared to 2008 were flat, with just a 0.37% increase. Sales to the NHS for fourth quarter of 2009 increased by 3.6% over the same period last year but the total for 2009 was down 4% on 2008 sales. After a record sales year in 2008 of 1,158,872 units, total sales for 2009 dropped by 3.3% to just over 1.12 million - the same level as they were in 2007.