§ 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.
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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.
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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 693W
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.