HC Deb 14 June 2004 vol 422 cc690-3W
Mr. Burstow:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) headcount and (b) whole-time equivalent (i) diagnostic and (ii) therapeutic radiographers have been employed by the NHS in each year since 1997, broken down by (A) region, (B) strategic health authority and (C) NHS trust. [176751]

Mr. Hutton:

The information requested has been placed in the Library. Between September 1997 and 2003, the number of radiographers employed in the national health service has increased by 1,573, or 13 per cent.

NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified diagnostic radiographers in England by Government office region, Strategic health atahority area and organisation as at 30 September each specified year
Whole-time equivalent
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
QI0 County Durham and Tees Valley SHA total 213 215 218 230 239 246 252
Bishop Auckland Hospitals NHS Trust RLA 22
County Durham And Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust RXP 80
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust RLB 22
Hartlepool and East Durham NHS Trust RRY 25 26
North Durham Acute Hospitals NHS Trust RLE 29
North Durham Healthcare NHS Trust RR9 27 29 33 33 31
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS trust RVW 58 60 63 62 67
North Tees Health NHS Trust RCH 32 33
Northallerton Health Services NHS Trust RCA 14 14 15 16 18
South Durham Healthcare NHS Tryst RTA 43 45 47 48 50
South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust RCJ 69 73 71 75 77
South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust RTR 102 105

Mr. Burstow:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) headcount and (b) whole-time equivalent NHS vacancies there were for (i) diagnostic and (ii) therapeutic radiographers in each year since 1997 (A) in total and (B) broken down by positions vacant for (1) 0–3 months, (2) 3–6 months, (3) 6–9 months, (4) 9–12 months, (5) 12–15 months, (6) 15–18 months and (7) over 18 months. [176753]

Mr. Hutton:

The only information held centrally on vacancies is numbers of whole-time equivalent vacancies lasting three months or more. Information on the number of whole-time equivalent radiographer vacancies lasting three months of more since 1999, the first year vacancy information was collected centrally, are shown in the table.

Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March each specified year—vacancies in England for qualified radiography staff—
Three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff-in-post
September 2000
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 9,165
Staff-in-post (headcount) 11,032
Therapeutic radiographers March 2001
Three month vacancy rate (%) 8.0
Three month vacancy (number) 114
19991
Radiographers
March 1999
Three month vacancy rate (%) 1.3
Three month vacancy (number) 131
September 1998
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 10,189
Staff-in-post (headcount) 12,114
2000
Radiographers
March 2000
Three month vacancy rate (%) 3.6
Three month vacancy (number) 332
September 1999
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 9,005
Staff-in-post (headcount) 10,835
Therapeutic radiographers
March 2000
Three month vacancy rate (%) 7.1
Three month vacancy (number) 103
September 1999
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 1,358
Staff-in-post (headcount) 1,491
2001
Diagnostic radiographers
March 2001
Three month vacancy rate (%) 4.4
Three month vacancy (number) 420
Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March each specified year—vacancies in England for quali fie.I radiography staff—
Three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff-in-post
September 2000
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 9,165
Staff-in-post (headcount) 11,032
Therapeutic radiographers
March 2001
Three month vacancy rate (%) 8.0
Three month vacancy (number) 114
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 1,309
Staff-in-post (headcount) 1,453
2002
Diagnostic radiographers
March 2002
Three month vacancy rate (%) 5.5
Three month vacancy (number) 531
September 2001
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 1,391
Staff-in-post (headcount) 1,543
2003
Diagnostic radiographers
March 2003
Three month vacancy rate (%) 6.1
Three month vacancy (number) 599
September 2002
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 9,489
Staff-in-post (headcount) 11,489
Therapeutic radiographers
March 2003
Three month vacancy rate (%) 10.7
Three month vacancy (number) 169
September
Staff-in-post (whole-time equivalent) 1,374
Staff-in-post (headcount) 1,542
11999 vacancy survey is unable to split between diagnostic and
Three month vacancy notes:
1. Three month vacancy information is at 31 March each specified year.
2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which Trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole-time equivalents).
3. Three month Vacancy Rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff-inpost.
4. For 2002 and 2003 three month Vacancy Rates are calculated using staff-in-post from the Vacancy Survey.
5. For earlier years three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff-in-post from the non-medical workforce census the previous September.
6. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
7. Figures for 1999–2002 exclude health authority staff.
Staff-in-post notes:
1. Staff-in-post data is from the Non-Medical Workforce Census, September each specified year.
General notes:
1. Vacancy and staff-in-post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.
2. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.
3. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component parts.
Sources:
Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March each specified year.
Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census, September each specified year.
Mr. Burstow:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2004, Official Report, column 221W, on radiographers, what action his Department is taking towards developing an attractive career path for radiography staff. [176755]

Mr. Hutton:

The national radiography recruitment and retention strategy will encourage the national rollout of a new career escalator model for radiographers, building on the knowledge and skills framework of 'Agenda for Change'. This will enable individuals to step on or step off the escalator during their careers, until they reach a level which is appropriate for them and their service. There will be opportunities to practice from assistant right through to consultant practitioner level. With the implementation of the 'Improving Working Lives' standard, there is greater opportunity for radiographers to work flexibly, access childcare and still extend and progress their roles.