§ 13. Dr. John Pugh (Southport)(LD)What plans he has to increase the number of psychiatrists employed by the NHS. [148797]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health (Ms Rosie Winterton)Since this Government came to power in 1997, the number of consultant psychiatrists employed by the NHS has increased by 31 per cent. Nevertheless, we recognise that we still have a long way to go to make up for the deficit that we inherited. That is why we are planning a further increase of 8 per cent. between March 2004 and March 2006.
§ Dr. PughSadly, I am not much comforted by that response. Does the Minister recognise that in areas such as Merseyside the shortage of psychiatrists is now so acute that it seriously threatens the community health programme?
§ Ms WintertonI certainly recognise that there are challenges ahead. We are doing a lot of work with the Royal College of Psychiatrists and others to increase training places and to ensure that different working practices ease some of the burden on psychiatrists. I should also say, however, that the number of consultant psychiatrists in Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority has risen by 45 per cent. while the national average has been 31 per cent., and that the number of vacancies is lower there than in other parts of the country.