§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for the last four years the number of psychogeriatricians employed by the NHS.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe available information is shown in the table.
720W
Hospital doctors in old age psychiatry in England as at 30 September each year, in whole time equivalents Year Old age psychiatry 1989 78.6 1990 103.3 1991 154.2 1992 170.1 Notes:
These data include doctors in the following grades: consultants, associate specialists, staff grades, senior registrars, hospital practitioners and clinical assistants.
Until recently, old age psychiatry was covered by general psychiatrists, but it is now a specialty in its own right. Some general psychiatrists have sub-specialty interest in psychogeriatrics, but these are not collected in the data.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those district health authorities which do not employ a psychogeriatrician.
§ Dr. MawhinneyPsychogeriatric services are purchased on behalf of patients by purchasing and commissioning agencies, and they are responsible for ensuring that these services are available to the local population. They may purchase these services across different district or regional boundaries. At 30 September 1992, 63 of the 252 employing authorities in England employed old age psychiatrists.
Until recently, old age psychiatry was covered by general psychiatrists, but it is now a specialty in its own right. Some general psychiatrists have sub-specialty interest in psychogeriatrics, but these are not collected in the data.