§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the annual total cost of the salaries of administrative staff in the national health service in each of the years 1979 to date; and if he will make a statement.
597W
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe annual total salaries and wages costs of administrative and clerical staff directly employed by health authorities in England are shown in the table.
The administrative and clerical staff group covers a diversity of job functions and duties—including finance, personnel, information technology, senior ambulance officers, hotel services, and secretarial services. In addition, about one third of all A and C staff work in direct support of clinicians—on medical and ward records, out-patient reception, medical secretary, and health education services —thus freeing clinical staff to concentrate their direct-care expertise and training where it is most needed.
£ thousands (cash) 1979–80 486,891 1980–81 603,565 1981–82 662,774 1982–83 707,211 1983–84 744,211 1984–85 760,058 1985–86 795,336 1986–87 850,140 1987–88 921,263 1988–89 1,018,233 1989–901 1,085,236 1 The latest year currently available. Sources:
1. Annual accounts of regional and district health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals (Predecessor authorities prior to 1982–83).
2. From 1985–86—annual accounts of Family Health Service Authorities (formerly Family Practitioner Committees) which became independent from district health authorities on 1 April 1985.
Notes:
1. The figures are gross costs and include employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions.
2. Costs relating to the employment of non-NHS (agency. etc.) staff and the costs of employees on general and senior management grades are excluded. The Administrative and Clerical staff costs of the Prescription Pricing Authority and other special health authorities and bodies within the NHS are similarly excluded.