HC Deb 02 March 1966 vol 725 cc319-20W
Mr. Oakes

asked the Minister of Health how many qualified child psychiatrists are employed in England and Wales; and what proportion this figure represents per head of population.

Mr. K. Robinson

At 30th September, 1965, 133 psychiatrists (100.5 in whole-time equivalents) were employed by Hospital Boards in posts of child psychiatry, giving a ratio of one whole-time equivalent for about 75,000 schoolchildren.

Mr. Oakes

asked the Minister of Health how many unfilled vacancies there are at present in England and Wales for qualified child psychiatrists; what steps he proposes to take to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. K. Robinson

The number of vacancies is not collected centrally. Posts are created according to the relative needs of particular areas and the availability of psychiatrists to fill them. In the two years 1963–65 the number of consultant posts filled rose from 85.4 to 100.5 (whole-time equivalents).