§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the criteria for the appointment of a hospital secretary; how many have been appointed up to the most recent convenient date; and what is the annual cost to the National Health Service.
§ Mr. RossThere are no precise criteria; the staffing structure of each Board of Management varies according to the size, location and other factors affecting the hospitals within the group. There are 78 hospital secretaries in posts in Scotland; they are currently paid on scales ranging from £1,181-£1,560 to £2,053-£2,543 under a system of grading approved by the Whitley Council. No central record is maintained of the total cost of these posts.