§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many posts for NHS consultant neurologists are unfilled; and if he will make a statement; [63468]
(2)how many people are being trained to become consultant neurologists; and how many were being trained in May 1997; 63470]
(3)what the approved number of posts for consultant neurologists was in the national health service in each of the last five years; [63467]
(4)how many consultant neurologists were employed by the national health service in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [63466]
§ Mr. HuttonAs at 30 September 2001, there were 122 staff within the senior house officer training grade and 162 staff within the registrar group training grade in neurology. Census data are collected every September; the corresponding number of staff in 1997 was 141 and 159 respectively.
The number of consultant neurologists employed in the national health service in each of the last five years is shown in the following table. There has been a 29 per cent. expansion in consultant numbers since 1997.
Hospital medical consultants within the neurology specialty England as at 30 September Number 1997 280 1998 300 1999 300 2000 330 2001 360 Notes:
Figures are rounded to the nearest 10
Source:
Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
857WThe NHS vacancy survey has been conducted in March each year since 1999. The survey collects information on the number of posts, which trusts are actively trying to fill, which have been vacant for three months or more.Neurology speciality data were not collected in the March 2001 survey. However, the data were collected in this year's survey, the results of which will be available for publication in July 2002.