HL Deb 14 January 2003 vol 643 cc31-2WA
Lord Tebbitt

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 11 December (WA 42–43), how many of the increase in staff working for the National Health Service between 1997 and 2001 were (a) persons with medical or nursing qualifications and (b) qualified in professions allied to medicine. [HL806]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The information requested is shown in the following table.

Between September 1997 and 2001. the number of doctors employed in the National Health Service has increased by 9,550 (10.7 per cent), nurses have increased by over 31,500 (9.9 per cent) and allied health professionals have increased by 6,300 (14 per cent).

NHS HCHS and general practice workforce in England; 1997–2001
numbers (headcount)
1997 2001 "% Change 1997 to 2001 (1) Average annual % change 1997 to 2001 (1)
Total including retainers 1,058,690 1,167,170 10.2 2.5%
Total excluding retainers 1,058,690 1,166,020 10.1 2.4%
All doctors excluding retainers 89,620 99,170 10.7 2.6%
Consultants 21,370 25,690 20.2 4.7%
of which hospital medical consultants 20,200 24,400 20.8 4.8%
Registrar group 11,910 13,220 11.0 2.6%
of which hospital medical registrar group 11,360 12,650 11.4 2.7%
Other doctors in training 19,550 20,690 5.8 1.4%
of which hospital medical doctors in training 17,920 19,070 6.4 1.6%
Hospital practitioners and clinical assistance(2) 6,610 5,360 -18.8 -5.1%
Other hospital medical staff 3,780 6,360 68.0 13.9%
Other medical and dental staff 3,620 2,530 -30.0 -8.5%
GMPs excluding retainers 29,390 30,680 4.4 1.1%
Unrestricted principals and equivalents 27,100 27,840 2.7 0.7%
Other practitioners(3) 950 960 1.3 0.3%
GP registrars 1,340 1,880 40.2 8.8%
GP retainers — 1,150 n/a n/a
Qualified Nurses 318,860 350,380 9.9 2.4%
HCHS qualified nurses 300,470 330,540 10.0 2.4%
Practice nurses 18,390 19,850 7.9 1.9%
Qualified scientific.
therapeutic and technical staff 96,300 110,240 14.5 3.4%
of which: qualified Allied Health Professionals(4) 45,020 51,320 14.0 3.3%

Notes:

(1) Changes calculated excluding GP retainers, who were first counted in 1999.

(2) Most of these doctors also work as GPs. To avoid double counting, medical hospital practitioners and medical clinical assistants are not included in the all doctors total.

(3) Other practitioners include assistants, restricted principals, salaried doctors (para 52 SFA) and PMS other GPs.

(4) Allied health professionals are qualified staff from chiropody, dietetics, occupational therapy, orthoptics/optics, physiotherapy, radiography and art/music/drama therapy occupational codes.

Sources:

Department of Health, General and Personal Medical Services Statistics. Data as at 1 October 1997 and 30 September 2001.

Department of Health, Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

Data as at 30 September 1997 and 2001.

Department of Health Non-medical Workforce Census. Data as at 30 September 1997 and 2001.