HC Deb 22 January 2002 vol 378 cc739-40
9. Mrs. Anne Campbell (Cambridge)

What action he is taking to increase the supply of radiographers. [26368]

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. John Hutton)

Measures are being taken to improve the recruitment and retention of radiographers. They include improvements in pay and cost-of-living allowances, increased provision of child care and of other means of supporting flexible employment, and increases in the availability of training courses. We are also working closely with the Society and College of Radiographers, running recruitment and return-to-practice campaigns. There are now over 700 more radiographers working in the NHS today than in 1997, an increase of 6 per cent.

Mrs. Campbell

I welcome the improvement in radiographer services at Addenbrooke's hospital. The provision of brand new linear accelerators has been very welcome, as they are much more efficient. They take longer to set up, however, which has increased the need for radiographers at the hospital. Will my hon. Friend consider using trained staff to administer radiotherapy? Such staff, being less than fully qualified, would work under the supervision of fully trained radiographers.

Mr. Hutton

I am grateful for my hon. Friend's words of support, and the answer to her question is yes. Addenbrooke's is one of the 13 pilot sites that are currently helping shape new roles for what we call assistant practitioners in radiography. They can make a powerful and important contribution to dealing with some of the problems that my hon. Friend has identified, and to improving the service available to NHS patients.

Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that there are variations in the recruitment of radiographers and nurses both within and between regions? That has a lot to do with the uncertainty about the continued existence of certain hospitals. On two occasions, the right hon. Gentleman was unable to see a delegation from Lichfield and Burntwood to discuss the future of hospitals in the area, where there is real uncertainty about the future of day surgery. We met the Under-Secretary of State in the other place, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, in November. He promised to respond rapidly, but we still have not received a reply. When will we get a reply? When will we be able to recruit the nurses and radiographers that we need? This matter goes back to November.

Mr. Hutton

The fact that I was unable to meet the delegation was not for want of trying, nor because I had no desire to meet the hon. Gentleman. The hon. Gentleman knows why I was not able to attend those meetings. On one occasion I had to travel to Ottawa to attend an international forum dealing with issues connected with bioterrorism. I hope that hon. Members would regard that as a pretty good reason. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman soon—

Michael Fabricant

Soon?

Mr. Hutton

Today, The hon. Gentleman will get the letter later this afternoon. However, he may be interested to know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is to hold a meeting on expanding access to day surgery tomorrow. I shall keep the hon. Gentleman informed of progress.

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