HC Deb 16 June 1953 vol 516 cc726-7
44. Mr. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of whole-time and part-time specialists in the Scottish Health Service at the nearest available date; and how these figures compare with 31st December, 1952.

55. Mr. W. Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the proportion of part-time specialists to full-time specialists employed under the National Health Service in Scotland; and how the present figures compare with the previous years since the institution of the National Health Service in 1948.

Commander Galbraith

Since the Answer comprises a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Ross

Has there been a tendency in Scotland towards the development of the Health Service on a part-time basis, rather than as a full-time specialist service?

Commander Galbraith

There has not, from the figures of specialists.

Mr. Ross

Will the Joint Undersecretary look into the position in Ayrshire, at any rate, because he will be aware that protests have been made by management boards which have been overridden by the Regional Hospital Board, and the Minister has stood aside and said that it is not his business at all? That is developing a part-time service.

Following is the table:

SPECIALISTS EMPLOYED BY REGIONAL HOSPITAL BOARDS IN SCOTLAND
Date Consultants
Whole-time Part-time Total
31st December, 1949. 283 (43.8%) 363 (56.2%) 646
31st December, 1950. 325 (45.9%) 383 (54.1%) 708
31st December, 1951. 348 (47.6%) 383 (52.4%) 731
31st December, 1952. 372 (49.6%) 378 (50.4%) 750
31st March, 1953. 368 (49.2%) 380 (50.8%) 748
Date S.H.M.O.'s
Whole-time Part-time Total
31st December, 1949. 163 (59.5%) 111 (41.5%) 274
31st December, 1950. 174 (59.8%) 117 (40.2%) 291
31st December, 1951. 205 (63.9%) 116 (36.1%) 321
31st December, 1952. 219 (66.4%) 111 (33.6%) 330
31st March, 1953. 224 (67.3%) 109 (32.7%) 333
Date Total Consultants and S.H.M.O.'s
Whole-time Part-time Total
31st December, 1949. 446 (48.5%) 474 (51.5%) 920
31st December, 1950. 499 (49.9%) 500 (50.1%) 999
31st December, 1951. 553 (52.6%) 499 (47.4%) 1,052
31st December, 1952. 591(54.7%) 489 (45.3%) 1,080
31st March, 1953. 592 (54.8%) 489 (45.4%) 1,081
N. B.
1. No figures are available for 31st December, 1948.
2. The figures do not include posts temporarily vacant as a result of death, retiral or resignation.