HC Deb 10 January 1985 vol 70 cc897-8
17. Rev. Martin Smyth

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of community doctors, nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers and therapists employed by the various health and social service boards.

Mr. Scott

As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement I will, with permission, Mr. Speaker, arrange for it to be published in the Official Report.

Rev. Martin Smyth

Although I welcome the publication of the figures, is the Minister aware that there is growing concern that some vacancies in the community have not been filled? Is he further aware that some people suspect that this is an attempt to save money that will cause problems in the service given to patients? if there is to be a shift from care in hospitals to care in the community, will the Minister acknowledge that there must be adequate funding and staff to achieve that?

Mr. Scott

Of course, I recognise that. There has been the shift to which the hon. Gentleman referred, and there is provision for an expansion of community social workers in the immediate future.

Following are the figures:

Eastern Western Northern Southern
Community, Doctors* 7½ 3 7 4
Community Nurses 826 252 395 317
Community Psychiatric Nurses 33 25 8 14
Community Social Workers 444 110 188 103
Community Therapists 113 23 48 24
* Defined as specialists in community medicine.

The figures are as at 30 September 1984, except for community psychiatric nurses, which are at 13 December 1984.