HL Deb 24 July 2001 vol 626 cc198-9WA
Lord Janner of Braunstone

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to reduce the percentage of police officers retiring for medical reasons. [HL428]

Lord Rooker

We will be considering a range of issues relating to police pension arrangements, including the rate of officers retiring for medical reasons, in the coming months.

Lord Janner of Braunstone

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Of police officers who retire for medical reasons in each of the past five years and in each police district; what were the categories of such medical reasons; and how many and what proportion of such retirements fall into each of those categories. [HL429]

Lord Rooker

The information requested is not available. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary did, however, undertake a sample of the reasons for medical retirement in 10 forces in 1995–96 and 1996–97.

The sample showed that for male officers 54 per cent of medical retirements were the result of musculoskeletal conditions; 24 per cent resulted from psychological or mental health conditions; 5 per cent resulted from cardiovascular conditions; 12 per cent from other reasons; and 5 per cent from a combination of conditions.

The sample showed that for female officers 47 per cent of medical retirements resulted from musculoskeletal conditions; 38 per cent resulted from psychological or mental health conditions; 1 per cent resulted from cardiovascular conditions; 12 per cent from other reasons; and 2 per cent from a combination of conditions.