§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the number of qualified doctors, (b) the number of qualified dentists, and (c) the number of support staff in each service available to the Defence Medical Services in 1998 and 1999; and if he will make a statement. [109494]
§ Dr. MoonieThe numbers of qualified doctors and dentists and trained support staff in the Defence Medical Services as at 1 December 1998 and 1 December 1999 are as follows:
733W
1 December 1998 1 December 1999 Doctors Royal Navy 224 218 Army 406 446 RAF 210 201 Total 840 865
1 December 1998 1 December 1999 Medical Support Staff Royal Navy 879 871 Army 2,801 2,637 RAF 982 1,039 Total 4,662 4,547 Note:
Medical Support Staff (includes Nurses, Medical Technical Officers, Medical Support Officers, Medical Assistants and Medical Technicians)
1 December 1998 1 December 1999 Dentists Royal Navy 53 58 Army 106 128 RAF 85 75 Total 244 261 Dental Support Staff Royal Navy 91 95 Army 218 224 RAF 201 193 Total 510 512 Overall totals 6,256 6,185 Note:
Dental Support Staff (includes Dental Support Officers, Dental Hygienists, Dental Surgery Assistants and Dental Technicians)
There are continuing manpower shortages in the Defence Medical Services, particularly among nurses, General Practitioners and the key specialties of Orthopaedic and General Surgery, Anaesthetics and General Medicine. However, the figures shown above suggest that manning levels are stabilising. Recruitment into training is generally satisfactory and measures to improve recruitment of direct entry qualified staff and retention of experienced personnel are being explored.