§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many doctors whose basic medical training and qualifications were received abroad are employed as general practitioners in Wales in 1989; and what was the comparable figure for each of the past five years;
(2) how many doctors whose training and basic medical qualifications were received outside the United Kingdom are employed as general practitioners in each family practitioner committee area in Wales; and what was the comparable figure for each of the past five years;
(3) what percentage of general practitioners in each family practitioner committee area in Wales received their basic training and qualifications outside the United Kingdom; and what was the equivalent percentage for each of the past five years;
(4) what percentage of general practitioners in Wales received their basic medical training and qualifications outside the United Kingdom; and what was the comparable figure for each of the past five years.
§ Mr. GristInformation on where general practitioners received basic medical training is not held centrally. However the latest available information on country of birth is shown in the table which will show the hon. Gentleman that the position for Wales in 1989 was almost identical to that in 1983.
Hospital doctors born outside the United Kingdom1 Year Number Per cent. 19842 833 32.5 19852 854 32.6 19862 863 32.1 1987 850 31.2 1988 841 30.2 1 Staff in post as at 30 September. 2Excludes doctors born in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the hours worked by junior hospital doctors in Wales;
(2) what assessment he has made of the level of morale among junior hospital doctors in Wales.
§ Mr. GristInformation is not held centrally about hours worked by junior hospital doctors. Information held relates to the number of units of medical time (UMT) for 777W which doctors are contracted. Earlier this year the Department undertook a review. The Department has since requested health authorities to submit proposals to reduce further the hours worked by junior doctors. No assessment of the level of morale among junior doctors as such has been undertaken.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the number of individuals who have received their medical training and qualification outside the United Kingdom and who will have to be recruited by hospitals in Wales in each of the coming five years;
(2) what assessment he has made of the problems of recruiting and retaining the services of junior hospital doctors to posts at hospitals in Wales.
§ Mr. GristIt is not possible reliably to assess the demand for overseas qualified doctors in each of the next five years. Consideration is still being given to the distribution by specialty of those doctors eligible to pursue a career in the United Kingdom and those overseas doctors who are seeking to undertake training for a limited period in the United Kingdom. The implementation of the package of proposals in "Achieving a Balance" for the reform of the hospital medical staffing structure will alleviate recruitment problems and the Department, with the assistance of the recently established Welsh Council for Postgraduates in Medical and Dental Education, is developing plans for a training package specifically for overseas doctors employed in Wales. This scheme and other initiatives under consideration are designed to attract junior doctors to the National Health Service in Wales.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what examination he has undertaken of the effectiveness of induction and supplementary training given immediately on appointment to any doctor whose medical training and qualifications have been received outside the United Kingdom;
(2) what examination he has undertaken of the effectiveness of inquiries made prior to the employment in any hospital in Wales of a doctor whose medical training and qualifications have been received outside the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. GristThe Department has issued firm guidance to health authorities in Wales on the procedures to be followed in employing overseas qualified doctors and in particular emphasised the importance of checking that doctors are properly registered for the work they are to do before taking up employment.
Overseas qualified doctors applying for registration must satisfy the General Medical Council about their professional experience, clinical knowledge/skills and their command and understanding of the English language. The Department is satisfied with the criteria employed by the General Medical Council to assess the suitability of overseas qualified doctors. All such doctors work under the direct supervision of a consultant who provides further training as appropriate.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what percentage of hospital doctors in Wales received their basic medical training and qualification outside the United Kingdom; and what was the comparable percentage for each of the past five years;
778W(2) how many doctors whose training and basic medical qualifications were received outside the United Kingdom are employed in hospitals in each health authority in Wales; and what were the comparable figures for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. GristInformation on where hospital doctors received basic medical training is not held centrally. However, information is available on place of birth and I will reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as the information by health authority can be extracted.