HC Deb 29 January 1985 vol 72 cc95-7W
Mr. Bruce

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the ratio of consultant psychiatrists to the population in each of the Scottish health board areas.

Mr. John MacKay

The information requested is as follows:

Ratio per 100,000 population
Scotland 4.6
Argyll and Clyde 4.0
Ayrshire and Arran 1.9
Borders 3.0
Dumfries and Galloway 6.2
Fife 4.4
Ratio per 100,000 population
Forth Valley 5.1
Grampian 3.8
Greater Glasgow 6.2
Highland 5.1
Lanarkshire 2.5
Lothian 5.6
Orkney
Shetland
Tayside 6.2
Western Isles

Mr. Bruce

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many doctors entered postgraduate training in psychiatry in Scotland in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many newly qualified psychiatrists are required each year to maintain existing staffing levels.

Mr. John MacKay

The information available relates to doctors entering higher medical training in the psychiatric specialties in Scotland at the grade of senior registrar. Details are set out in the following table. It is estimated that an average of seven new consultant psychiatrists would be required annually to maintain existing staffing levels.

Year* First Year Senior Registrars
1982 11
1983 15
1984 16.5
* as at 30 September.

Mr. Bruce

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the recommended ratio of consultant psychiatrists to the population in Scotland.

Mr. John MacKay

There is no nationally accepted ratio of consultant psychiatrists to population. Requests for additional consultant posts in this specialty can normally be approved in view of the recommendations contained in the report, "Scottish Health Authorities' Priorities for the Eighties".