§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what categories of qualified staff he has identified as being in short supply in respect of NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [19257]
§ Mr. MaloneFor nurses, midwives and health visitors we agree with the findings of the national pay review body, which weighed carefully all the evidence presented and was not convinced that there is a general nationwide shortage of nursing staff. The Government accept that there are local difficulties and problems with particular specialties for some non-medical staff and drew attention to these in the 1995 annual planning guidance. Training commissions are likely to rise again in 1996–97. The Government welcome the pay review body's view that local pay may be part of the solution to these problems.
In relation to professions allied to medicine, the Government accept that demand exceeds supply in some areas for some professions allied to medicine. Good employers will concentrate on establishing flexible recruitment and retention policies and training commissions are likely to rise again in 1996–97.
In respect of the medical work force we are aware of the difficulties in recruiting to consultant posts in certain specialties. In 1996–97, £5.7 million will be provided to help create at least 300 new specialist registrar posts and to improve access to training for doctors wishing to become consultants. The available resources will be targeted where needs are greatest. Where there are isolated problems local problems of recruitment and retention, moves towards local pay determination will encourage employers to use pay flexibility to tackle them.
In the long term, the Government have accepted the recommendations of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee to increase the medical student intake target by 500–11 per cent—to reach, 4,970 by 2000.
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