§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will break down the costs of all suspensions of senior medical practitioners on full pay for each of the last five years between(a) legal costs, (b) administration costs, (c) salaries paid to those on suspension and (d) any other costs; [65250]
(2) how many NHS suspended senior medical practitioners have been (a) disciplined, (b) after investigations cleared of any allegations against them and (c) had any proceedings against them dropped, in each of the last five years; and how many of those personnel subsequently continued in the employment of the health authrity or trust concerned. [65251]
§ Mr. DenhamThe information requested is not available centrally. The National Health Service Executive monitors doctors suspended for more than six months. Since 31 March 1995, a total of 44 cases of suspension lasting over six months have been reported. As at 30 September 1998, the latest date for which figures are available, 14 hospital and community medical and dental staff, including 9 consultants, have been suspended for over six months. Decisions on whether to suspend, or discipline, a medical practitioner rest with the employing authority or trust. Hospital doctors who are suspended from duty will, in most cases, continue to receive full pay during the period of suspension. The NHS Executive is reviewing current suspension procedures.