§ 13. Mr. Yeoasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of medical and non-medical staff employed in the National Health Service at the last available date.
§ Mr. FowlerThere were 819,100 whole time equivalent medical and non-medical directly employed staff in the NHS in England at 31 March, the latest date for which a total figure is available.
§ Mr. YeoDoes my right hon. Friend agree that increasing the proportion of medical and non-medical staff 546 in a useful way of ensuring that the maximum share of Health Service resources is devoted to patient care? Will he take whatever steps he can to ensure that the ratio continues to increase?
§ Mr. FowlerYes, Sir, and for the past 12 months that has taken place. Although there has been a reduction in support staff, there has been an increase of about 1,200 in the number of doctors employed in the National Health Service.
§ Mrs. Jill KnightIn this connection, can my right hon. Friend give us any information about the progress in the implementation of the Griffiths staffing report? Can he confirm that although some junior appointments have been made, key posts have not yet been filled?
§ Mr. FowlerMany key posts are being filled, and the key posts at regional level are being filled now. We shall then go on to general managers at the district and unit levels. What we are waiting for—I hope that we can make an announcement on it reasonably soon—is the appointment of a general manager at the centre of the DHSS.